Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)

Why in News?

Recently, INS Sunayna arrived in Port Victoria, Seychelles to participate in the annual training exercise Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

• This not only reinforces the Indian Navy's commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region but also marks the maiden participation of an Indian Navy ship in the CMF exercise.

What do we know about Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)?

• About:
  • It is a multinational maritime partnership, which exists to uphold the Rules-Based International Order (RBIO) by countering illicit non-state actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability, and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
  • CMF is Commanded by a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.

• Members:
  • CMF has 34 member nations: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, and Yemen.
    • India is not a member of CMF. At the India-US 2+2 dialogue held in April (2022), India had announced that it would join the CMF as an Associate Partner.
• Focus Area:
  • CMF’s main focus areas are counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppressing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, engaging with regional and other partners to strengthen relevant capabilities in order to improve overall security and stability.
  • When requested, CMF assets at sea will also respond to environmental and humanitarian incidents.

Source: PIB