Indian Navy Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 154, Marking Historic First for India

Historic Command Handover in Bahrain

In a landmark development for international maritime cooperation, the Indian Navy officially assumed command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) from the Italian Navy. The ceremonial transfer of authority occurred on February 11, 2026, at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. This event signifies India's inaugural leadership of a CMF task force, underscoring its growing role in global maritime security.

Commodore Milind M Mokashi, a distinguished officer of the Indian Navy and a Shaurya Chakra awardee, formally took over as the Commander of CTF 154. He succeeded Commodore Andrea Bielli of the Italian Navy. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Curt A Renshaw, Commander of CMF, US NAVCENT, and the US Fifth Fleet, with Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy, also in attendance.

CTF 154's Mission and Role

CTF 154, established in May 2023, is a crucial component of the Combined Maritime Forces, a multinational naval partnership comprising 47 nations dedicated to upholding the international rules-based order at sea. Unlike other CMF task forces focused on direct maritime security operations or counter-piracy, CTF 154 is specifically oriented towards training and capacity building for member nations.

The task force conducts multinational maritime training programs across the Middle East and the wider region, focusing on five core pillars:

• Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
• Law of the Sea
• Maritime Interdiction Operations
• Maritime Rescue and Assistance
• Leadership Development

These initiatives aim to enhance partner nations' operational capabilities against common threats such as illegal trafficking, piracy, and irregular migration.

India's Growing Maritime Influence

India's assumption of command of CTF 154 reflects the region's growing trust in its professional expertise, operational experience, and its role as a 'preferred security partner' among the CMF nations. This leadership position reinforces India's commitment to collaborative maritime security and capacity building, not only within the Indian Ocean Region but also across critical sea routes connecting it to the wider Middle East.

CTF 154 operates alongside other CMF task forces, including 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), contributing to overall stability and security in vital international waters.