New Delhi, February 12 The Indian Navy has taken command of a key multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces, highlighting the country's commitment to collaborative maritime security and capacity building in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, the defence ministry said on Thursday.
Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) is specifically focused on training and capacity building for the member nations of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), it said.
This reflects the growing trust in India's professional expertise, operational experience, and its role as a "preferred security partner" among the 47 member nations, a Navy spokesperson said.
The Change of Command ceremony was held on February 11 at the CMF headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, and was presided over by Vice Admiral Curt A Renshaw, Commander of CMF and US Naval Forces Central Command, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy, and senior military leaders from other member nations were also present.
Commodore Milind M Mokashi of the Indian Navy, a recipient of the Shaurya Chakra award, formally took over as Commander of CTF 154 from the outgoing commander of the Italian Navy, it said.
"This is a landmark development that underscores India's commitment to collaborative maritime security and capacity building in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. The Indian Navy has taken command of Combined Task Force 154, a key multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces," the ministry said.
CTF 154, established in May 2023, is dedicated to enhancing maritime security through multinational training programmes across the Middle East and the wider region, the Navy spokesperson said.
"The training focuses on five key areas: maritime domain awareness, maritime law, maritime interdiction operations, maritime rescue and assistance, and leadership development," the statement said.
"The task force conducts regular maritime security enhancement training events, as well as exercises such as Compass Rose and Northern/Southern Readiness, and outreach to build partner nations' operational capabilities against common threats such as illegal trafficking, piracy, and irregular migration," it said.
CTF 154 operates alongside CMF's other task forces: CTF 150 (maritime security), CTF 151 (counter-piracy), CTF 152 (maritime security in the Arabian Gulf), and CTF 153 (maritime security in the Red Sea).
"The Indian Navy looks forward to a productive tenure, delivering high-impact training initiatives and reinforcing global maritime partnerships for peace, prosperity, and security," the spokesperson said.