An Indian Navy ship made a port call to Bahrain recently during which a series of cross-deck visits was organised as part of its collective maritime security.
INS Surat crew engaged with the Royal Bahrain Navy and with the Juffair-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and discussions focused on operational synergy, information sharing and safeguarding critical sea lanes in the region.
Other activities included a reception for the diplomatic community onboard the stealth guided-missile destroyer, school visits and a yoga session for CMF personnel.
The Indian Navy earlier this month assumed command of one of CMF’s taskforces – Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 – from the Italian Navy. Italian Navy Commodore Andrea Bielli turned over command of the multinational maritime training task force to Indian Navy Commodore Milind Mokashi on February 11, marking the Indian Navy’s assumption of a CMF task force for the first time.
CTF 154 conducts multinational maritime training at locations across the Middle East, enabling more CMF partner-nations to participate in training opportunities without ships or aircraft, particularly during courses that are facilitated ashore. It organises training events around five core areas: maritime awareness, maritime law, maritime interdiction, maritime rescue and assistance, and leadership development.
CTF 154 was established May 2023, and is one of five operational task forces under CMF.
CMF’s other task forces include CTF 150, which focuses on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean; CTF 151, which leads regional counter-piracy efforts; CTF 152, dedicated to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf; and CTF 153, dedicated to capacity building and maritime security in the Red Sea.
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