The Indian Navy's Southern Naval Command in Kochi is hosting Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a four-day multinational maritime security training engagement that commenced on July 20, 2026. This marks the first time this operation is being conducted in India, representing a significant milestone in the growing engagement between the Indian Navy and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
The exercise is being conducted under the auspices of the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) in partnership with CMF. The event has brought together 254 participants from 26 countries, supported by 74 facilitators and four International Organizations along with Subject Matter Experts. CTF 154, CMF's dedicated Training Task Force currently commanded by the Indian Navy, focuses on strengthening capacity, interoperability, and professional readiness of CMF Partner Nations through multinational maritime training.
The opening ceremony featured addresses by key naval officials including Cmde Milind M Mokashi (Commander CTF 154), Cmde Dan Thomas (Deputy Commander, Combined Maritime Forces), and RAdm Deepak Singhal (Chief Staff Officer (Training), Headquarters Southern Naval Command). Their remarks emphasized the importance of professional training, shared learning, and multinational cooperation in addressing contemporary maritime security challenges.
The first day focused on Ship Management and Special Training, combining professional interaction with practical exposure. This included a session by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) addressing maritime security threats in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean, followed by hands-on training in Ship Handling, Navigation, Astro Navigation, Maritime Distress Communication Systems, and Damage Control and Firefighting using the Indian Navy's state-of-the-art simulators and training infrastructure.
Over the remaining three days, participants will engage in a diverse program covering key aspects of contemporary maritime security through professional sessions, simulator-based training, and practical activities. The engagement reflects the Indian Navy-CMF partnership in advancing regional capacity building, interoperability, and collective maritime security while promoting professional exchange and stronger relationships among participating nations. This operation further enhances the Indian Navy's role as the Preferred Security and Training Partner in the region.