Manama, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian Navy officially transferred command of the multinational Task Force 154 in Manama, Bahrain, on October 14. This marks the completion of its first tenure leading the task force, which has seen participation from military personnel across 39 nations. Over 7,800 hours of training were conducted during this period.
Task Force 154 was established to enhance maritime security cooperation among various countries, improve professional skills of personnel, and strengthen preparations for joint operations. A total of 47 nations are involved in this multinational maritime collaboration. India became a partner in the joint maritime forces in 2022 and achieved full membership in 2023. The Indian Navy took command of Task Force 154 on February 11, 2026.
This is the first time the Indian Navy has been entrusted with leadership of a joint maritime task force. Under its command, the task force organized training activities on various maritime security topics, conducting 20 training programs aimed at enhancing the professional skills of military personnel. Additionally, it executed Operation Compass Rose 26-1 and Operation Southern Readiness 26-2.
A significant achievement during this command was the inaugural expert exchange program focused on maritime piracy and armed robbery, known as SPAR 2026. This initiative emphasized sharing expertise to prepare military personnel from different countries for maritime security challenges. The training programs utilized not only direct activities but also virtual and hybrid methods, with contributions from other task forces, partner nations, regional maritime agencies, and international expert institutions.
The task force under the Indian Navy also strengthened its connections with operational groups, regional partners, and expert institutions. This lays the groundwork for future collaboration in joint training and capacity building in maritime security. The transfer of command represents a significant milestone in the growing partnership between India and the joint maritime forces in the field of maritime security. It highlights the Indian Navy’s role as a key security and training partner in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
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