The Indian Navy is scheduled to relinquish command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) during a ceremony at Manama, Bahrain on 14 October 2026, marking the completion of its maiden command of a Task Force within the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). This command tenure began on 11 February 2026 and represents India's growing engagement with the 47-nation CMF partnership, having joined as an Associate Partner in 2022 and becoming a full member in 2023.
During the Indian Navy-led tenure, CTF 154 delivered a sustained program of multinational training under CMF's Maritime Domain Enhancement Training framework. The activities included 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements, Operation Compass Rose 26-1, Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, and the inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery (SPAR 2026). Collectively, these efforts generated over 7,800 training hours with personnel from 39 countries participating across CTF 154 activities.
The training program utilized virtual, hybrid, and in-person engagements across various maritime security subjects, drawing expertise from the Indian Navy, CMF Task Forces, Partner Nations, regional maritime agencies, and specialist international organizations. The tenure also expanded CTF 154's professional engagement with operational Task Forces, regional partners, and specialist institutions to support multinational training and future capacity building initiatives.
This handover represents a significant milestone in India's growing engagement with CMF and reflects its contribution to collaborative maritime security, multinational training, and capacity building across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. The tenure has further reinforced the Indian Navy's role as a Preferred Security and Training Partner in the region.