Indian Navy Completes Historic First Command of Combined Task Force 154, Training Personnel from 39 Nations

The Indian Navy has successfully completed its maiden command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), marking a significant milestone in India’s expanding role in multinational maritime security, naval training and international defence cooperation.

The eight-month command, which began on February 11, 2026, concluded with a formal handover ceremony at Manama, Bahrain, on October 14, 2026. During this period, the Indian Navy led an extensive multinational training programme involving personnel from 39 countries, delivering more than 7,800 training hours through specialised engagements and major international exercises.

The successful tenure demonstrated India’s growing capabilities in coordinating multinational naval activities, developing maritime security expertise and strengthening cooperation among partner nations across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.

Indian Navy Concludes Eight-Month Leadership of CTF 154

The command handover ceremony in Bahrain marked the completion of the Indian Navy’s first leadership assignment within the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a multinational maritime security partnership.

Commodore Milind M. Mokashi, who commanded CTF 154 throughout the Indian Navy’s tenure, formally relinquished command to Commander Melissa Desjardins, Deputy Commander CTF 154, who received responsibility on behalf of CMF Headquarters.

The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Curt A. Renshaw, Commander Combined Maritime Forces; Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit, India’s Ambassador to Bahrain; Commodore Khalid Jasim Althawadi, Naval Sector Commander of the Royal Bahrain Naval Force; and Commodore Dan Thomas, Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces.

Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, Director General Naval Operations of the Indian Navy, participated through video conferencing.

The completion of the command represents an important progression in India’s participation in multinational maritime operations and professional naval cooperation.

What Is Combined Task Force 154?

Combined Task Force 154 was established in May 2023 as the dedicated multinational maritime training task force of the Combined Maritime Forces.

Unlike operational task forces primarily engaged in maritime interdiction and security patrols, CTF 154 concentrates on professional training, capacity building and improving interoperability among naval and maritime security personnel.

Its activities strengthen the ability of participating countries to coordinate responses to maritime challenges through common training standards, information exchange and operational cooperation.

The task force conducts specialised training programmes covering maritime law enforcement, maritime domain awareness, counter-piracy operations, emerging technologies and multinational operational planning.

India joined the Combined Maritime Forces as an Associate Partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023. The Indian Navy assumed command of CTF 154 on February 11, 2026, becoming the first Indian naval contingent to command a CMF task force.

The assignment provided India with an opportunity to contribute its naval training expertise and operational experience to a broader multinational maritime security framework.

Indian Navy Delivers Over 7,800 Training Hours Across 39 Countries

During its eight-month leadership, the Indian Navy-led CTF 154 conducted a comprehensive programme of multinational maritime training.

The programme included 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements, two major multinational training exercises and the inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery (SPAR 2026).

Together, these initiatives generated more than 7,800 training hours, with personnel from 39 countries participating in various activities.

The Staff Enhancement Training programmes and SPAR engagements alone recorded more than 1,100 participant attendances.

The training activities brought together naval personnel, maritime law enforcement agencies, operational specialists, legal experts and representatives of international organisations.

By combining operational knowledge with professional training, the Indian Navy helped participating nations develop common approaches to maritime security challenges.

The scale of the programme also demonstrated India’s ability to coordinate training across different nationalities, organisations and maritime security disciplines.

Operation Compass Rose 26-1 Strengthens Multinational Coordination

One of the major training activities conducted under India’s command was Operation Compass Rose 26-1, held from April 20 to 22, 2026.

The exercise brought together 137 participants, 11 observers and 21 facilitators representing 25 partner nations and 13 organisations.

Originally designed as a multinational training engagement, the exercise adopted a fully virtual format in response to the prevailing regional security environment.

This arrangement allowed participating countries to continue professional training and operational coordination despite regional constraints.

The exercise demonstrated the value of virtual training platforms in maintaining communication, sharing operational expertise and strengthening coordination among multinational maritime forces.

It also highlighted the flexibility of CTF 154’s training framework in accommodating changing operational circumstances while sustaining international engagement.

Kochi Hosts India’s First Major Combined Maritime Forces Training Exercise

A defining achievement of the Indian Navy’s command was Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, conducted at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi from July 20 to 23, 2026.

The exercise marked the first major Combined Maritime Forces training engagement hosted by India.

It brought together 276 personnel from 27 countries and generated approximately 3,800 training hours, making it the largest Maritime Domain Enhancement Training engagement conducted by CTF 154 since its establishment.

The multinational exercise provided participating personnel with access to the Indian Navy’s specialist training establishments, advanced simulators and operational platforms.

Training activities covered maritime domain awareness, information sharing, maritime law, counter-narcotics operations, force protection, asymmetric threats and maritime uncrewed systems.

Participants also received practical instruction in damage control, firefighting, maritime communications, survival at sea and boarding procedures.

The programme combined classroom instruction, simulator-based learning and practical operational exposure.

The successful exercise demonstrated the Southern Naval Command’s ability to host complex multinational training programmes while showcasing India’s established naval training infrastructure.

It also strengthened Kochi’s position as an important centre for international maritime security training and professional naval cooperation.

Specialised Training Covers Cyber Resilience, Maritime Law and Emerging Technologies

The 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements organised during the Indian Navy’s command addressed a broad range of contemporary maritime security challenges.

The programmes covered Maritime Domain Awareness, Maritime Law and Law Enforcement, Information Sharing, Counter-Piracy, Maritime Crime Investigation, Cyber Resilience, Emerging Technologies, Multinational Operational Planning, Leadership and Personnel Resilience.

Training drew upon expertise from the Indian Navy, other CMF task forces, partner nations, regional maritime agencies and specialist institutions.

The emphasis on maritime domain awareness and information sharing reflected the importance of coordinated surveillance, timely information exchange and cooperation between maritime security agencies.

Similarly, training in maritime law and crime investigation helped participating personnel develop a better understanding of legal procedures associated with maritime enforcement operations.

Cyber resilience and emerging technologies featured in the programme as modern naval operations increasingly depend on interconnected communication networks, digital systems and advanced surveillance capabilities.

These specialised engagements enabled participating countries to exchange operational experience and strengthen professional cooperation across several maritime security disciplines.

Indian Navy Introduces Training of Trainers Programme

The Indian Navy’s command also introduced important professional training initiatives within the Combined Maritime Forces framework.

Among these was the first dedicated Training of Trainers engagement conducted under CMF’s maritime training framework.

The initiative focused on developing the instructional capabilities of participating personnel, enabling them to share specialised knowledge and training practices within their respective maritime organisations.

Strengthening instructional capacity is particularly important for multinational maritime partnerships because it allows professional knowledge to reach a wider group of personnel beyond those directly attending international training programmes.

Another notable development was CMF’s first professional engagement with a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The engagement brought specialised legal expertise into the maritime training framework and contributed to professional discussions concerning international maritime law.

Together, these initiatives broadened the scope of CTF 154’s training activities by strengthening both instructional capability and legal understanding.

SPAR 2026 Brings Together 25 Countries to Address Piracy Threats

The final major training engagement under the Indian Navy’s command was the inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery (SPAR 2026), conducted on October 5 and 6, 2026.

The programme brought together 135 participants, including facilitators, from 25 countries, with contributions from 19 organisations and specialist teams.

SPAR 2026 provided a common platform for naval counter-piracy forces, maritime law enforcement agencies, information-sharing organisations, legal specialists, technology providers and representatives of the maritime industry.

Participants examined evolving piracy threats and contemporary challenges affecting maritime security.

The discussions facilitated the exchange of operational experience and specialised expertise among organisations involved in protecting shipping and maintaining maritime safety.

By bringing together military, law enforcement, legal and commercial maritime stakeholders, the initiative supported a more coordinated approach to understanding and addressing piracy and armed robbery at sea.

The programme also expanded professional interaction between operational maritime security forces and organisations responsible for legal, technological and information-sharing functions.

India Expands Maritime Security Cooperation with Regional Partners

Beyond major exercises and training engagements, the Indian Navy-led CTF 154 strengthened cooperation with regional maritime organisations and specialist institutions.

Representatives participated in the Fifth Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Dialogue in Nairobi, providing an opportunity to engage with regional agencies on maritime enforcement and emerging security challenges.

Interactions with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force also facilitated discussions on professional training requirements and future cooperation.

These engagements helped broaden CTF 154’s professional network and identify areas where multinational training could support regional maritime security priorities.

The Indian Navy’s leadership brought together expertise from partner nations, international institutions and maritime security organisations, contributing to stronger professional relationships across the multinational partnership.

India’s Growing Role as a Maritime Security and Training Partner

The completion of India’s first command of a Combined Maritime Forces task force represents an important development in the country’s international naval engagement.

India’s progression from Associate Partner in 2022 to full CMF membership in 2023, followed by its assumption of CTF 154 command in February 2026, demonstrates the expanding scope of its participation in multinational maritime security cooperation.

The eight-month assignment enabled the Indian Navy to lead training activities involving personnel from 39 countries while coordinating specialised programmes across operational, legal and technological disciplines.

Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 in Kochi was particularly significant in demonstrating India’s capacity to host large multinational maritime training exercises.

The successful conduct of the programme further strengthened India’s position as a preferred maritime security and training partner.

Through professional training, international cooperation and the sharing of operational expertise, the Indian Navy continues to contribute to stronger maritime institutions and improved coordination among partner nations.

The successful completion of CTF 154 command reinforces India’s commitment to a secure, stable and rules-based maritime environment, while highlighting the growing international recognition of the Indian Navy’s training capabilities and maritime leadership.

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References

1. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Indian Navy Completes Maiden Command of Combined Task Force 154
Published: October 14, 2026
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2323572

2. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Defence
Indian Navy Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 154
Published: February 11, 2026
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2226776

3. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Defence
Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 Concludes at Southern Naval Command, Kochi
Published: July 23, 2026
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2288511

4. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Defence
Indian Navy to Hand Over Command of Combined Task Force 154
Published: October 14, 2026
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2323188

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