Control of an international task force that polices regional waters has been passed to the French Navy.

Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) carries out patrols to prevent terrorism, smuggling and other illegal activities across an area of two million square miles.

French Navy Rear Admiral Jean-Louis Kerignard is now in charge after taking over the reins from Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Commodore Gregory Sammut during a ceremony at Mina Salman.

CTF-150 conducts security operations in the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

'It is a great honour to take command of CTF-150 and we look forward to taking forward the outstanding work conducted by Australia in the coming months,' said Adm Kerignard.

'It is essential that illegal maritime activity in this strategically important region is deterred, and by our efforts I believe that CTF-150 is a major contributor to regional security.'

CTF-150 is one of three task forces operated by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 25-nation coalition based in Bahrain.

Its principal mission is to deter, disrupt and defeat attempts by international terrorist organisations to use the sea to stage attacks or transport personnel, weapons and other materials.

Rear Adm Kerignard will take command of the FS Somme, the US Navy's Carter Hall, the Pakistan Navy's PNS Badr and the Royal Navy's replenishment ship RFA Diligence.-TradeArabia News Service