Dynamic simulations were carried out to test the regional maritime operational capabilities of the Indian Ocean region.
Curtain on four days of regional maritime security exercise with the aim of strengthening regional coordination for safer and more secure seas in the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) area. From April 22 to 25, 2024, 22 agencies from 9 countries (Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, France/Réunion, Seychelles, Tanzania), including two regional centers, namely the Regional Information Fusion Center (CRFIM) and the Regional Operations Coordination Center (CRCO), as well as the European naval mission EUNAVFOR Atalanta, participated in the tabletop and command post exercise “ BALINN2024“. Organized jointly by the European CRIMARIO II project and the IOC, this exercise aims above all to assess and improve the regional maritime operational capabilities of the Indian Ocean region. It was then “
foster a cooperative environment to better respond to maritime security threats ”, based on robust communication protocols and strict compliance with legal frameworks.
Scenario. Participants exchanged information on #IORIS, a communications platform for inter-agency planning and coordination at the national and regional level, facilitating the collection, analysis and exchange of information to support decision-making and actions at sea.
In practice, the exercise scenario focused on locating and identifying vessels involved in the transportation of narcotics, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, search and rescue, and how to respond to these challenges (interdiction, interception, transfer, legal finishing, etc.) and to coordinate operations at sea within the framework of IOC regional agreements.
The « table top exercise » (TTX) helped participants put the law of the sea into practice, including Article 17 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Additionally, participants practiced coordinated responses between agencies at the national and regional levels, refining tactics, techniques and procedures in a controlled, simulated environment.
Collected by Hanitra R.