Explained: What CTF 154 Does, and Why India's Handover of Its Command Matters

The Indian Navy hands over command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) at a ceremony in Manama today, ending its first command of a task force of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the 47-nation maritime partnership. India took command on 11 February 2026.

CTF 154 is the CMF’s dedicated training task force. Under Indian leadership it delivered over 7,800 training hours, with personnel from 39 countries taking part.

Here is what the task force does, what it delivered under India, and why the handover matters.

What is CTF 154?

CTF 154 is the CMF’s dedicated multinational training task force. Most naval task forces patrol, escort or interdict. CTF 154 trains the people who do that work.

It runs professional training and capacity-building programmes for CMF partner navies and maritime agencies, with the aim of improving interoperability and operational readiness.

Navies differ in doctrine, equipment, procedures and experience. When 47 nations try to work together at sea, those differences can slow or complicate a response. Training together beforehand lets partners plan, communicate and operate to common standards before a real operation tests them.

The Combined Maritime Forces is a multinational partnership of 47 nations, headquartered in Bahrain. Its work is divided among task forces, each with its own mandate. CTF 154’s mandate is training, which it delivers under the CMF’s Maritime Domain Enhancement Training framework.

India’s role in the CMF has grown quickly. It joined as an Associate Partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023. In February 2026, it took command of CTF 154, its first command of any CMF task force.

What did CTF 154 do under Indian command?

The tenure delivered a sustained programme of multinational training:

• 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements
• Operation Compass Rose 26-1
• Operation Southern Readiness 26-2
• The inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery (SPAR 2026)

Together these generated over 7,800 training hours, with personnel from 39 countries taking part across CTF 154 activities.

The sessions were a mix of virtual, hybrid and in-person formats, covering a range of maritime security subjects. Expertise came from the Indian Navy, other CMF task forces, partner nations, regional maritime agencies and specialist international organisations. The tenure also broadened CTF 154’s contact with operational task forces, regional partners and specialist institutions, which the Navy says supports future training and capacity building.

Why does the handover matter?

Training is a quieter form of maritime diplomacy than deployments or exercises, but it builds lasting relationships and shared practice among partner navies. The Navy says the tenure has reinforced its position as a Preferred Security and Training Partner in the Indian Ocean Region. It describes the handover as a further milestone in India’s engagement with the CMF and its contribution to collaborative maritime security, multinational training and capacity building across the region and beyond.