Published: 13 February 2026PIB / DD News / Combined Maritime ForcesDefence Security
Indian Navy Assumes First-Ever Command of Combined Task Force 154 Under Combined Maritime Forces
On February 11, 2026, the Indian Navy assumed first-ever command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) — a 47-nation naval partnership headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. The change of command ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Curt A. Renshaw, Commander CMF/US NAVCENT/US Fifth Fleet. Commodore Milind M. Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, of the Indian Navy, formally took over from the outgoing Commander of the Italian Navy.
CTF 154 is specifically oriented towards training and capacity building of member nations. Its five core training pillars are: Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development. The task force conducts exercises like Compass Rose and Northern/Southern Readiness to build partner-nation capabilities against threats including illegal trafficking, piracy, and irregular migration. India's first-ever command of a CMF task force underscores its growing stature as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
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Q: Assess the strategic significance of the Indian Navy's first-ever command of CTF 154 under the Combined Maritime Forces for India's role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
Answer (50 words):
On February 11, 2026, the Indian Navy assumed first-ever command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a multinational training body under the 47-nation Combined Maritime Forces headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. Commodore Milind Mokashi took charge from the outgoing Italian Navy commander. CTF 154 trains partner nations across five maritime pillars including MDA.
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Linked questionMedium
In February 2026, the Indian Navy assumed its first-ever command of which Combined Maritime Forces task force?
Explanation · Correct answer DOn 11 February 2026 at Manama, Bahrain, Commodore Milind M. Mokashi of the Indian Navy formally took over command of Combined Task Force 154 from the Italian Navy. This was the Indian Navy's first command of a Combined Maritime Forces task force.
Frequently asked questions
What is Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and how many nations are part of it?
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multinational naval coalition comprising 47 member nations, headquartered in Bahrain. It is the world's largest multinational maritime partnership, focused on promoting security, stability, and prosperity across international waters in the Middle East and Indian Ocean region, countering terrorism, piracy, and illegal smuggling.
What is CTF 154 and what are its five training pillars?
Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) is the maritime training arm of CMF. Its five training pillars are: (1) Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), (2) Law of the Sea, (3) Maritime Interdiction Operations, (4) Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and (5) Leadership Development. It conducts training exercises and capacity building for partner nations to enhance their maritime security capabilities.
Who was the officer who led India's first-ever command of CTF 154, and from which country did India take over?
Commodore Milind Mokashi of the Indian Navy assumed command of CTF 154 on February 11, 2026, taking over from Italy. This was the first time India led any CMF task force, marking a milestone in India's global maritime diplomacy and its growing role in multilateral naval security operations.
How does India's CTF 154 command relate to its SAGAR doctrine?
India's SAGAR doctrine — Security and Growth for All in the Region — articulates India's vision of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. Assuming CTF 154 command under CMF directly operationalises this doctrine by demonstrating India's capacity and willingness to lead multilateral maritime security arrangements, strengthening its credentials as a 'net security provider' in the Indian Ocean Region.
Why is India's participation in CMF strategically significant in the context of RPSC's international relations topics?
India's leadership of CTF 154 signals its transition from a regional naval power to a global maritime actor. It aligns with India's broader foreign policy goals of strategic autonomy while engaging multilaterally, building partnerships with Gulf nations (critical for energy imports and remittances), and countering Chinese naval expansion in the Indian Ocean — all relevant to RPSC's international relations and defence syllabus.
