The Combined Maritime Forces Approach To Security Challenges In The Middle East And Indian Ocean
Commodore Will Warrender RN Deputy Commander CMF
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 1 Scope
• Background • Strategic Context • Task Organisation and Missions • Recent Success • CMF Challenges
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 2 Combined Maritime Forces
The Coalition has grown and evolved to encompass and address commonly perceived threats to the member states and their values.
2015 CMF – Combined Maritime Forces CMFC: Combined Maritime Forces Central (+ maritime & joint)
CNFC: Combined Naval Forces Central (reduced security enclave)
GCTF: Global Counter Terrorism Force – Maritime (post 9/11)
Coalition of states formed in response to the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 3 COMMANDER’S VISION
A global maritime partnership aligned in common purpose
To conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO)
To provide security and stability in the maritime environment
To remain scalable, flexible and responsive to a changing environment
Nations will never be asked a to do more than what national mandate allows MISSION STATEMENT
Improve overall security and stability in the area of operations. Non-State Threat Focused
Assist in the development of maritime capacity Intelligence-Driven building to help counter terrorist and piracy threats in the maritime area, Enduring
If requested, respond to environmental and humanitarian crises. Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 4 Maritime Security Challenges
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 5 Engagement
• Key Leadership Engagement – CMF member countries – Regional Nations • Wider Regional Engagement – United Nations – International Organizations – Law Enforcement Agencies
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 6 Other Players in the Region
• EU’s Op ATALANTA • NATO’s Op OCEAN SHIELD • Independent Deployers (co-ordinated) – Russia – India – China • Other deployers (not co-ordinated) – Iran • Merchant mariners, oil tankers, commercial vessels • UNODC/UNHCR/IOM/IOFMC/UKMTO
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 7 CMF Task Organisation
Strait of CTF 152 Hormuz • Counter Terrorism Combined Task Force CTF 150
CTF 150
• Counter Piracy Bab al Mandeb Combined Task Force CTF 151
• Maritime Security Combined Task Force CTF 150
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 8 Combined Task Force 152
• MSO in the Arabian Gulf • Annual Exercises • Focused Operations • Information Sharing (NOCs) • Capacity Building • Training GCC officers
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 9 Combined Task Force 151
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 10 CTF 151 Counter Piracy
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 11 Combined Task Force 150
Mission: Conduct MSO in order to counter terrorism
Makran Coast
Smack Track Hash Highway
Migrant smuggling + weapons trafficking Charcoal
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 12 CMF Drug Seizure 2012-2014
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 13 Narcotic Seizure
HMAS MELBOURNE Boarding on 01 Oct 2015
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 14 Concealment
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 15 Charcoal Smuggling
• Popular in KSA and UAE • Provides income to Al- Shabaab • Environmental devastation in Somalia • Export banned by UN (UNSCR 2182 / 2244)
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 16 MV NASIR
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 17 CMF Challenges
• Growth in CMF – Integration of new NLOs or members • Maintenance of force flow • Regional maritime security and coastal law enforcement capacity • Ongoing threat of terrorism • Increased flow of narcotics by sea through Arabian Gulf/Indian Ocean/Red Sea • Outcome of Yemen situation and impact on region – Migrant smuggling – Weapons smuggling – Safe haven for terrorist networks (AQAP) • Potential Resurgence of piracy • Wider maritime crime problem
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 18 Questions
Combined Maritime Forces Ready Together UNCLASSIFIED 19