Indian Navy Takes Command of Combined Task Force 154, Marking a Milestone in Maritime Security
In a historic development highlighting India's expanding influence in global maritime security, the Indian Navy has taken command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) for the first time. This task force is a part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a coalition of 47 nations committed to ensuring maritime security and fostering cooperation on the international stage.
The ceremonial transfer of command was conducted on February 11, 2026, at CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. The event was overseen by Vice Admiral Curt A Renshaw, Commander of CMF, US NAVCENT, and the US Fifth Fleet. Attendees included Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, alongside senior military leaders from the member nations of the CMF.
During the ceremony, Commodore Milind M Mokashi, recipient of the Shaurya Chakra, officially assumed command of CTF 154, succeeding his Italian Navy predecessor. This transition signifies the growing confidence in India's operational capabilities and its role as a key security ally in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
Established in May 2023, CTF 154 focuses on the training and capacity building of CMF member nations, structured around five main areas: Maritime Domain Awareness, Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development. The task force implements Maritime Security Enhancement Training (MSET) programs and conducts exercises like Compass Rose, Northern Readiness, and Southern Readiness. These initiatives aim to bolster partner nations' capabilities in addressing challenges such as piracy, illegal trafficking, and irregular migration.
CTF 154 operates alongside other CMF task forces, including CTF 150 dedicated to Maritime Security, CTF 151 focusing on Counter-Piracy, CTF 152 overseeing Maritime Security in the Arabian Gulf, and CTF 153 managing Maritime Security in the Red Sea. With the Indian Navy now leading CTF 154, there is an expectation of impactful training programs and a strengthening of multinational maritime partnerships aimed at maintaining peace, stability, and security across essential maritime routes.
