Royal Navy takes command of anti-piracy task force as captain signals uncrewed push

A Royal Navy captain has taken over command of an international anti-piracy task force - vowing to push the use of uncrewed systems to improve how quickly the coalition can spot and respond to threats at sea.

Captain Jason Eacock assumed command of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) at a ceremony in Manama in Bahrain, taking over from Brazilian Navy Rear Admiral Marcelo Lancellotti. 

The handover was overseen by US Navy Vice Admiral Curt Renshaw, commander of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) coalition.

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"I'm extremely proud to assume command of CTF 151 today and I look forward to the journey we will share together over the next six months of my tenure in command," said Capt Eacock. 

"Together, we will continue to strengthen interoperability with the Eaunavfor international partners, whilst embracing technological advances in uncrewed systems to improve our situational awareness and response times to maritime threats."

His comments on uncrewed systems come as navies increasingly test autonomous platforms alongside crewed ships and aircraft.

Earlier this week, Nato said it would integrate an uncrewed surface vessel into its annual anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Manta, in the Mediterranean, which runs until 6 March.

Rear Admiral Lancellotti had led the task force since August 2025, during which time more than 380 maritime awareness calls were made.

He thanked his staff and international partners, saying: "I'm really proud of our teamwork. Together, we faced uncertainty, regional tensions and challenging situations, but despite all of this we remained committed to our enduring mission, sustaining key efforts and contributing to safer seas."

In November 2025, CTF successfully dealt with a pirate attack on the merchant tanker Hellas Aphrodite.

A Japanese maritime patrol aircraft located the ship which led to the deployment of the EU naval mission's Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria. 

The crew was brought to safety and the pirate group was disrupted.

CMF is headquartered in Bahrain alongside US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet. 

It is a multinational naval partnership with 47 nations, operating across major shipping routes.