News: The Indian Navy has assumed command of Combined Task Force 154 under the Combined Maritime Forces, reinforcing India’s commitment to maritime security and capacity building.
About Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
- About: Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multinational maritime partnership that supports the International Rules-Based Order to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters.
- Headquarters: Bahrain
- Focus Areas:
- Counter-narcotics and counter-smuggling operations.
- Suppresses piracy and enhances maritime security.
- Promotes regional cooperation
- When requested, respond to environmental and humanitarian crises.
- Combined Task Forces (CTFs): It comprises five Combined Task Forces:
- CTF 150 conducts Maritime Security Operations outside the Arabian Gulf.
- CTF 151 focuses on counter-piracy operations.
- CTF 152 conducts Maritime Security Operations inside the Arabian Gulf.
- CTF 153 supports maritime security in the Red Sea.
- CTF 154 focuses on maritime security training.
- Membership: CMF comprises 47 nations.
- India is part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
- Other members include Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, and Yemen.
- Mandate: The member nations operate collaboratively without being bound by a fixed political or military mandate.
- Participation is purely voluntary. No nation is asked to carry out any duty that it is unwilling to conduct.
- The contribution from each country varies depending on its ability to contribute assets and the availability of those assets at any given time.
- Leadership structure: CMF is commanded by a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral who also serves as Commander, U.S. Navy Central Command (NAVCENT) and United States Fifth Fleet.
- All three commands are co-located at U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
- The Deputy Commander is a UK Royal Navy Commodore.
- Senior headquarters staff positions are filled by personnel from member nations.
