Indian Navy Completes Its First-Ever Command of Combined Maritime Forces Task Force 154

Why Is It in News?

On 14 October 2026, the Indian Navy relinquished command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain. India had assumed command on 11 February 2026, marking the first time the Indian Navy commanded a task force under the Combined Maritime Forces.

About

The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multinational maritime partnership headquartered in Bahrain. It works to promote security, stability and cooperation across important international maritime areas.

Combined Task Force 154 is the CMF’s dedicated maritime training task force. Its work focuses on professional training and capacity building to improve interoperability and operational readiness among partner nations.

During India’s command:

1. CTF 154 continued a programme of multinational maritime training.
2. Training activities covered maritime security and operational cooperation.
3. The task force supported capacity building among partner countries.
4. The command strengthened India’s contribution to collaborative maritime security.

India joined the Combined Maritime Forces as an Associate Partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023. The Indian Navy’s command of CTF 154 represented a significant milestone in India’s growing role in multinational maritime cooperation.

Key Points

1. Organisation: Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
2. Task force: Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154).
3. Command assumed by India: 11 February 2026.
4. Command relinquished: 14 October 2026.
5. Ceremony venue: Manama, Bahrain.
6. Duration of Indian command: Approximately eight months.
7. Indian Navy commander: Commodore Milind M. Mokashi.
8. Primary role of CTF 154: Maritime training and capacity building.
9. India joined CMF as Associate Partner: 2022.
10. India became a full CMF member: 2023.
11. Significance: First-ever command of a CMF task force by the Indian Navy.