Washington, A first for the India Navy, assuming control of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF-154), marks the first time an Indian force has taken the lead for the multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Force (CMF).

The change of command took place on February 11 at the CMF Headquarters, Bahrain, with the event graced by Vice Admiral Curt A. Renshaw, Commander CMF, US NAVCENT and the United States Fifth Fleet. Also represented were senior military representation from member nations.

Commodore Milind M. Mokashi (Shaurya Chakra), will formally take over as Commander of CTF-154 from his Italian naval counterpart. India was represented at the ceremony by Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.

Focus: Maritime Training and Capacity Building

Task Force 154 was established in May 2023 and is aimed at enhancing maritime security through multinational training and capacity-building exercises throughout the Middle East and surrounding waters.

Five focal points operate for the task force:

Maritime Domain Awareness

Law of the Sea

Maritime Interdiction Operations

Maritime Search & Rescue

Leadership Development

CTF-154 organizes Maritime Security Capacity Building Training events and leads exercises such as the Compass Rose and Northern and Southern Readiness. Their purpose is to enhance the capabilities of partner nations in countering piracy, illegal trafficking, and irregular migration.

Part of a Larger Maritime Network

CTF-154 liaises with other CMF task forces:

CTF-150: Maritime security operations

CTF-151: Counter-pirate operations

CTF-152: Maritime security in the Arabian Gulf

CTF-153: Maritime security in the Red Sea

Headquartered in Bahrain, the Combined Maritime Forces are a maritime partnership of forty-seven nations, focused on ensuring security and safeguarding critical international shipping routes in the Middle Eastern and adjacent regions.

Strategic Implications

The recent takeover by India speaks volumes, not only about the growing confidence in the operational capabilities and leadership of the Indian Navy but also about an expanding maritime footprint of India and its role as a key security partner in the Indian Ocean region.

The navy has been seen intensifying joint exercises, anti-piracy patrolling, and humanitarian missions over a period of time, putting it on the list of a net security provider of the critical sea lanes which are essential for the global trade and energy flow.

Officials said they hope that their tenure, when shared with CTF-154, would usher in efforts to boost global maritime cooperation and promote peace, prosperity, and security across international waters.