OPERATION SOUTHERN READINESS 26-2 COMMENCES AT SOUTHERN NAVAL COMMAND, KOCHI

Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a four‑day multinational maritime security training, began on 20 July 2026 at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi. The exercise, hosted by the Indian Navy‑led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), involved 254 participants from 26 countries, 74 facilitators, four international organisations and subject‑matter experts. It was the first time the operation was conducted in India. The opening ceremony featured remarks by Cmde Milind M Mokashi (Commander CTF 154), Cmde Dan Thomas (Deputy Commander, CMF) and RAdm Deepak Singhal (Chief Staff Officer – Training, Southern Naval Command). Sessions covered ship management, navigation, UNODC‑presented maritime security threats, and hands‑on simulator training, underscoring capacity‑building and interoperability among partner nations.