🗞️ Why in News The Indian Navy completed its maiden command of a Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) task force on 14 October 2026, when Cmde Milind M Mokashi relinquished command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain. He handed over to Commander Melissa Desjardins, Deputy Commander CTF 154, who received command on behalf of CMF Headquarters. The command began in February 2026, when the Navy took over on 11 February 2026: the first time the Indian Navy led a CMF task force. The eight-month tenure included the first major CMF training exercise hosted by India, at Kochi.
What Is the Combined Maritime Forces?
The CMF describes itself as “a multinational maritime partnership that upholds the International Rules Based Order (IRBO) by countering illicit non-state actors on the high seas”, and as “a coalition of the willing”. Its focus areas are counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppressing piracy and encouraging regional cooperation, over approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters.
The CMF is commanded by a US Navy Vice Admiral, who also serves as Commander, U.S. Navy Central Command (NAVCENT) and U.S. 5th Fleet. Its Commander, Vice Admiral Curt A Renshaw, attended the 14 October ceremony, along with India’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Dr Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit; Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, Director General of Naval Operations, joined by video.
The CMF works through five combined task forces:
| Task force | Role |
|---|---|
| CTF 150 | Maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf |
| CTF 151 | Counter-piracy |
| CTF 152 | Maritime security operations inside the Arabian Gulf |
| CTF 153 | Red Sea maritime security |
| CTF 154 | Maritime security training |
CTF 154: The Training Task Force
Established in May 2023, CTF 154 is “CMF’s dedicated multinational maritime training Task Force, mandated to enhance professional competencies, interoperability and capacity development among Partner Nations”. Its training rests on five core pillars:
- Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
- Law of the Sea
- Maritime Interdiction Operations
- Maritime Rescue and Assistance
- Leadership Development
The Indian command began in Manama on 11 February 2026, at a change of command ceremony where Cmde Milind M Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, took over as Commander CTF 154 from the outgoing Commander of the Italian Navy.
India’s Eight Months in Command
Eight months in command of CTF 154
The Indian Navy’s tenure at the head of the CMF’s training task force, from takeover to handover.
| Date | Event | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 11 February 2026 | Indian Navy assumes command of CTF 154 | Takes over from the Italian Navy |
| 20 to 22 April 2026 | Operation Compass Rose 26-1, held fully virtually “in view of the prevailing regional security environment” | 137 participants, 11 observers and 21 facilitators from 25 Partner Nations and 13 organisations |
| 20 to 23 July 2026 | Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, Southern Naval Command, Kochi: the first major CMF training exercise hosted by India | 276 personnel from 27 countries; about 3,800 training hours |
| 5 and 6 October 2026 | SPAR 2026, the inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery | 135 participants, including facilitators, from 25 countries |
| 14 October 2026 | Command relinquished in Manama | Handed to Commander Melissa Desjardins on behalf of CMF Headquarters |
In the Navy’s own tally, the tenure delivered 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements, two major multinational training exercises and the inaugural SPAR 2026, adding up to over 7,800 training hours with personnel from 39 countries. It also produced two firsts for the CMF: the first dedicated “Training of Trainers” engagement within the CMF training framework, and the CMF’s first professional engagement with a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
The Kochi exercise drew on Indian and partner institutions: the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), the CMF’s Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), UNODC and the IMO’s IMLI gave inputs.
Why It Matters for India
From partner to commander. India joined the Combined Maritime Forces as an Associate Partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023. In 2026 it led one of the CMF’s five task forces. The Navy describes its role as that of a “Preferred Security and Training Partner”.
Training, not combat. CTF 154 builds the skills of partner navies: domain awareness, interdiction, rescue and the Law of the Sea. That suits India’s approach of capacity-building at sea, and the Kochi exercise showed India can host CMF training on its own soil.
Non-state threats. The CMF’s work against piracy, smuggling and narcotics on the high seas matches threats that affect India’s trade and coastal security.
Know the limits. India led one task force, not the CMF, which remains under its US Navy commander. The CMF calls itself “a coalition of the willing”, and India’s 14 October release frames the tenure in terms of training and partnership.
Way forward (Mains): build on the Kochi model of hosting CMF training in India; keep up training engagements with partner navies; keep partners such as IFC-IOR involved, as at Kochi; and make Law of the Sea training, including the engagement with ITLOS, a regular part of India’s maritime diplomacy.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 2: Important international institutions, agencies and fora, their structure and mandate; India’s maritime diplomacy.
GS Paper 3: Security challenges and their management; maritime security, piracy and smuggling at sea.
Prelims: CMF and its five task forces (CTF 150 to 154); CTF 154 (training, established May 2023); Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 (Kochi); SPAR 2026; ITLOS; IFC-IOR.
Mains question: India’s maiden command of CTF 154 of the Combined Maritime Forces marks a shift from participant to leader in multinational maritime security. Discuss how training-led maritime cooperation serves India’s interests against non-state threats at sea. (GS2, GS3 · 250 words)
📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia
Prelims, statement-ready facts:
- CTF 154: CMF’s dedicated multinational maritime training task force, established in May 2023.
- Indian Navy in command: 11 February to 14 October 2026, Cmde Milind M Mokashi; both ceremonies in Manama, Bahrain.
- The first time the Indian Navy led a CMF task force; it took over from the Italian Navy.
- CMF task forces: CTF 150 (outside the Arabian Gulf), 151 (counter-piracy), 152 (inside the Gulf), 153 (Red Sea), 154 (training).
- Operation Southern Readiness 26-2: Southern Naval Command, Kochi, 20 to 23 July 2026; the first major CMF training exercise hosted by India.
- SPAR 2026: inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery, 5 and 6 October 2026.
- India and the CMF: Associate Partner in 2022, full member in 2023.
- CTF 154 pillars: MDA, Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, Leadership Development.
Prelims, the traps:
- India commanded one task force (CTF 154), not the CMF; the CMF is commanded by a US Navy Vice Admiral.
- CTF 151 is counter-piracy; CTF 154 is training.
- Compass Rose 26-1 was virtual; Southern Readiness 26-2 was the exercise held at Kochi.
Mains, arguments and keywords:
- Maritime diplomacy; interoperability; capacity building; non-traditional threats at sea; Law of the Sea; “Preferred Security and Training Partner”.
- Way forward: build on the Kochi model, keep training engagements with partner navies, keep partners such as IFC-IOR involved.
Interview, be ready for:
- “Why should India lead a task force in a US-commanded coalition?” Training builds partner capacity against piracy and smuggling; India led one task force, not the CMF.
Revision Flowchart
Combined Task Force 154: Indian Navy’s First CMF Command
Covers the terms, Prelims pointers and traps, Mains pointers, the way forward and a practice question.
Sources: PIB, Ministry of Defence, Indian Navy completes maiden command of CTF 154, 14 October 2026; PIB, Indian Navy assumes command of CTF 154, February 2026; PIB, Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, Kochi, July 2026; Combined Maritime Forces, About.
Source: Combined Task Force 154: Indian Navy's First CMF Command — Ujiyari.com | Free UPSC & State PCS Current Affairs
