Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 Commences at Southern Naval Command, Kochi

📌 Summary:

• Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a four-day multinational maritime security training engagement, began at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on 20 July 2026
• Conducted under the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
• Brought together 254 participants from 26 countries, 74 facilitators, four International Organisations and Subject Matter Experts
• Marks the maiden conduct of Operation Southern Readiness in India; CTF 154 is CMF's dedicated Training Task Force, currently commanded by the Indian Navy
• UNODC session addressed maritime threats in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean; hands-on training on ship handling, navigation, distress communication, damage control and firefighting using Indian Navy simulators
• Reinforces India's role as the 'Preferred Security and Training Partner' in the region

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 internal security — maritime security, capacity building, interoperability; GS2 IR (defence diplomacy)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• CTF 154 = Combined Task Force 154, the CMF's Training Task Force, currently led by the Indian Navy
• CMF = Combined Maritime Forces; venue: Southern Naval Command, Kochi
• 254 participants from 26 countries; UNODC = UN Office on Drugs and Crime

🔑 Key Term: Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) — a multinational naval partnership (HQ Bahrain) promoting maritime security across key sea lanes