The YARIS platform was implemented for the second time throughout the Gulf of Guinea as part of the annual GANO 22 exercise, organised by the French Navy, CRESMAO and CRESMAC, from 11 to 16 October 2022. The exercise management team (DIREX) was based at CRESMAO, in Abidjan.
The YARIS platform has been confirmed as the essential tool of the Yaoundé Architecture member countries and the partners involved, whether in the context of GANO 22 scenarios or actual operations. Beyond this, YARIS has been confirmed as a structuring tool that allows the strengthening of the operationalisation, both for the Yaoundé Architecture centres and for the national administrations.
In addition to the involvement of the different countries, CRESMAO and CRESMAC have demonstrated their ability to conduct a major exercise and use YARIS as a tool for the analysis and the sharing of information.
Support as close as possible to users
The GoGIN+ project deployed 9 YARIS trainers to support zonal or national centres in their full application of the tool for the sharing and analysis of the maritime situation: MMCC zones E (Cotonou), F (Accra) and G (Praia); MCC zone D (Douala); MOCs of Sierra Leone, Abidjan and Libreville. In addition, the project supported the exercise management team with the expertise of Christophe Deldique, Head of YARIS Operations, and the support of the IT expert Antonio Ribeiro.
CRESMAO mobilised its operational team, led by Cdr. Adagogo Jaja to co-pilot the exercise with the Maritime Prefecture for the Atlantic, and its GANO Flag Officer, Commander Gérard Kérébel. CRESMAC has also deployed an analyst to DIREX, Nice Duere.
Efficient use during actual operations
Three actual operations were conducted in YARIS during GANO 22 exercise: two search and rescue operations off Sierra Leone and one anti-narcotics operation off Côte d’Ivoire. Led by CRESMAO in close interaction with the zone F centres of the Yaoundé Architecture and the French Navy units, they accomplished the rescue of fishermen in distress and the control of vessels. The switch from an exercise situation to an actual operational situation was performed very easily and in real time, thus demonstrating the YARIS flexibility of use.
YARIS, a structuring tool for the running of maritime centres
GANO 22 represents a major step up of Yaoundé Architecture, with the arming of the MMCC Zones G and A for the first time. In addition, the role of the two regional centres, in terms of analysis and surveillance, has been affirmed in order to better anticipate crises and detect suspicious activities.
GANO 22 highlighted the need for a framework for the YARIS platform users and, more broadly, a guide for good practices in conducting joint operations.
YARIS, a structuring tool for the running of maritime centres
GANO 22 represents a major step up of Yaoundé Architecture, with the arming of the MMCC Zones G and A for the first time. In addition, the role of the two regional centres, in terms of analysis and surveillance, has been affirmed in order to better anticipate crises and detect suspicious activities.
GANO 22 highlighted the need for a framework for the YARIS platform users and, more broadly, a guide for good practices in conducting joint operations.
An appropriation that takes place over a prolonged period of time
The appropriation of a network such as YARIS, which has enormous capacities not yet all exploited, develops over the long term.
It will require the implementation of training courses dedicated to information management and analysis at each level, both within the Yaoundé Architecture coordination centres and within the training institutes dedicated to maritime security.
Multinational exercises are an excellent way to put into practice the interaction between the air and naval assets present in the Gulf of Guinea (be it the national navies but also the external navies, such as those of the European Coordinated Maritime Presence concept, CMP), with great flexibility thanks to the use of a common platform such as YARIS.
Beyond the exercises, each country can strengthen or develop its maritime surveillance and crisis response system, with a permanent use of the YARIS platform.