Trilateral Naval Exercise Concludes in Andaman Sea
The navies of India, Japan, and Indonesia successfully concluded a trilateral naval exercise in the Andaman Sea on Friday, February 13, 2026. The joint drill, held in the strategically vital waters near Port Blair, focused on bolstering combined operational readiness, enhancing interoperability, and reinforcing maritime cooperation among the three nations.
The Indian Navy's spokesperson confirmed the exercise on social media platform X, stating that 'Ships from the navies of India, Japan and Indonesia undertook a trilateral exercise in the Andaman Sea on 13 Feb 26, enhancing combined operational readiness, interoperability and reinforcing maritime cooperation towards a safe, secure and stable region.'
Objectives of the Joint Drill
The primary objectives of the trilateral exercise were to:
- Enhance joint operational readiness among the participating navies.
- Improve interoperability, allowing for seamless coordination in future maritime operations.
- Strengthen maritime cooperation to foster a safe, secure, and stable region.
India's Expanding Maritime Role
This trilateral engagement closely followed another significant development for the Indian Navy. On February 11, 2026, the Indian Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). The change of command ceremony took place at CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.
Cmde Milind M Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, of the Indian Navy, formally took over as Commander CTF 154 from his Italian Navy predecessor. Established in May 2023, CTF 154 is dedicated to training and capacity building for CMF member nations, focusing on enhancing maritime security through multinational training programs across the Middle East and wider regions. India's leadership of CTF 154 highlights its expanding role as a preferred security partner among the 47 nations comprising the CMF.
0 Comments