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Combined Task Force 154: Indian Navy ends its first CMF command in Bahrain after 7,800 training hours

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The Indian Navy completed its first command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) on 14 October 2026, handing over the multinational training task force at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain, the defence ministry said. It was the first time India had led any task force of the 47-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Combined Task Force 154: The change of command ceremony in Manama, Bahrain
The change of command ceremony in Manama, Bahrain Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

Combined Task Force 154 handover in Manama

Commodore Milind M Mokashi formally relinquished command and handed over to Commander Melissa Desjardins, Deputy Commander of CTF 154, who took charge on behalf of CMF headquarters. Vice Admiral Curt A Renshaw, Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces, attended, along with India’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Dr Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit. Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, Director General Naval Operations, joined the ceremony by video link. The Week and DD India also reported the handover.

Key Facts

  • Handover: 14 October 2026, Manama, Bahrain
  • Command taken: 11 February 2026
  • Training hours: over 7,800
  • Countries involved: 39
  • CMF partnership: 47 nations

Maritime training numbers from India's tenure

The Navy took command on 11 February 2026. Under its lead, CTF 154 ran 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements and two major multinational exercises, Operation Compass Rose 26-1 and Operation Southern Readiness 26-2. It also held the first Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery, called SPAR 2026. Together these added up to more than 7,800 training hours, with personnel from 39 countries taking part, the ministry said.

Indian Navy and CMF personnel at the CTF 154 handover
Indian Navy and CMF personnel at the CTF 154 handover Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

Why the Combined Maritime Forces role matters

CTF 154 was set up in May 2023 as the CMF’s dedicated task force for training partner navies in maritime security skills. India joined the CMF as an associate partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023, so taking a command role within three years is a quick step up. Command of CMF task forces rotates among member navies, and the Navy now goes back to a participating role. The ministry said the tenure strengthened India’s standing as a trusted security partner in the region.

Why It Matters: Leading a CMF task force shows India moving from participant to organiser in Gulf and western Indian Ocean security, where its trade and energy routes run.

Also on TrendDesh: INS Samarthak to be commissioned at Karwar on 16 October as Navy's first multi-purpose vessel · IBSAMAR IX 2026: INS Tarkash joins Brazil and South Africa navies for drills

Source: PIB · PIB (curtain raiser) · The Week · DD India

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