Defence Intelligence Staff
Encyclopedia
Defence Intelligence is a key member of the United Kingdom Intelligence Community but differs from the agencies (SIS
, GCHQ, and the Security Service
) in that it is not a stand-alone organisation but is a constituent part of the Ministry of Defence
(MOD). The organisation employs a mixture of civilian and military staff and is funded within the Defence budget. Like the rest of the MOD Defence Intelligence was subject to the 2008 'Streamlining' initiative in which 20-25 percent of Central London staff were cut. The organisation was formerly known as the Defence Intelligence Staff or DIS but changed its name in early 2010.
Defence Intelligence is a collector of intelligence through its Intelligence Collection Group (ICG) however this function is carried out mainly to support its primary role which is the conduct of 'all-source' intelligence analysis
and assessment. This draws from a variety of overt and covert sources to provide written products and advice in support of military operations, contingency planning, and to inform defence policy and procurement decisions. The maintenance of the ability to give timely strategic warning of politico-military and scientific and technical developments with the potential to affect UK interests is a vital part of the process. DI's assessments are also used outside the MOD to support the work of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and assist the work of other Government Departments (OGDs) and International partners (such as NATO and the European Union
).
It is this 'all-source' analysis function which distinguishes Defence Intelligence from other organisations which focus predominantly on 'single-source' intelligence.
is the current CDI.
- Strategic Assessments
- Capability (weapons systems and platforms) Assessments
- Counter Proliferation
- Operations
- Development and Support
DCDI is currently Mr Nick Gurr.
, Middlesex
and the whole organisation makes up the largest sub-element of Defence Intelligence. It is responsible for the collection of Signals, Geospatial, Imagery and Measurement and Signature Intelligence
and comprises:
- The Defence Geographic Centre (DGC)
- The Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC, The National Imagery Exploitation Centre
)
- Joint Aeronautic and Geospatial Organisation (JAGO)
- Joint Services Signals Organisation (JSSO)
- Defence HUMINT Organisation (DHO)
In particular the Defence HUMINT Organisation (DHO) is a Tri-Service organisation that provides specialist support to military operations. The DHO manages strategic aspects of defence human intelligence and is under the command of a Colonel. It is based at the Feltham ICG Headquarters and consists of 350 staff who are drawn from across the three services.
The Joint Services Signals Organisation (JSSO) conducts research into new communications systems and techniques in order to provide operational support to static and deployed units. The JSSO is located at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire under the command of a Group Captain with some 1,600 staff drawn from all three services.
JAGO provides force elements from 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) as geographic sub-units and individuals operating specialist equipments to augment organic deployed headquarters capabilities, both in the UK and overseas.
The tri-service HQ JAGO is located at Hermitage, near Newbury in Berkshire and is commanded by an Army Colonel and is composed of three elements:
HQ JAGO commands and controls the organisation's current and future activities. It focuses on the development of GEOINT, geospatial and aeronautical in-service capabilities, exploiting synergies wherever possible.
It provides career and technical management support to relevant service staffs across Defence. The HQ comprises 12 military and 12 civilian staff.
42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) maintains sub-units and individuals at readiness for deployment and to support exercises. All support is provided by 3 regular Royal Engineer Geographic Squadrons and a Territorial Army Geographic Squadron.
It further provides routine Station support functions to HQ JAGO and the Defence College of Intelligence Royal School of Military Survey (DCI RSMS). The Regiment comprises 390 military personnel and soldiers and 75 civilian staff. No.1 Aeronautical Information and Documentation Unit (No1 AIDU) produces standard and non-standard products and services from 4 Flights; 2 Editorial Flights, a Production and Finishing Flight and a Support Flight. No1 AIDU comprises 108 RAF Officers and Air Cartographer and 35 civilians.
, Bedfordshire
, was created 1 October 1996 and provides a single defence focal point for intelligence, security, languages and photography training in the UK. The organisation consists of a headquarters, the Defence College of Intelligence and a specialist operational intelligence capability. DISC is co-located with the headquarters of the British Army
's Intelligence Corps. In 1998/99, it employed 484 staff and its net operating cost was £27 million.
a centralised defence intelligence organisation was formed, incorporating the former Naval Intelligence Division
and the other services' pre-existing intelligence staffs.
Secret Intelligence Service
The Secret Intelligence Service is responsible for supplying the British Government with foreign intelligence. Alongside the internal Security Service , the Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence , it operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence...
, GCHQ, and the Security Service
MI5
The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
) in that it is not a stand-alone organisation but is a constituent part of the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
(MOD). The organisation employs a mixture of civilian and military staff and is funded within the Defence budget. Like the rest of the MOD Defence Intelligence was subject to the 2008 'Streamlining' initiative in which 20-25 percent of Central London staff were cut. The organisation was formerly known as the Defence Intelligence Staff or DIS but changed its name in early 2010.
Defence Intelligence is a collector of intelligence through its Intelligence Collection Group (ICG) however this function is carried out mainly to support its primary role which is the conduct of 'all-source' intelligence analysis
Intelligence analysis
Intelligence analysis is the process of taking known information about situations and entities of strategic, operational, or tactical importance, characterizing the known, and, with appropriate statements of probability, the future actions in those situations and by those entities...
and assessment. This draws from a variety of overt and covert sources to provide written products and advice in support of military operations, contingency planning, and to inform defence policy and procurement decisions. The maintenance of the ability to give timely strategic warning of politico-military and scientific and technical developments with the potential to affect UK interests is a vital part of the process. DI's assessments are also used outside the MOD to support the work of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and assist the work of other Government Departments (OGDs) and International partners (such as NATO and the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
).
It is this 'all-source' analysis function which distinguishes Defence Intelligence from other organisations which focus predominantly on 'single-source' intelligence.
Organisation
Defence Intelligence is headed by the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) who is a serving three-star military officer and who, as the MOD's 'intelligence process owner', is also responsible for the overall co-ordination of intelligence activities throughout the Armed Forces and single Service Commands. He is supported by two deputies - one civilian and one military. The civilian Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence (DCDI) is responsible for Defence Intelligence analysis and production, the military Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff - Intelligence Capabilities (ACDS(IC) ) is responsible for intelligence collection, mapping and training. Air Marshal Chris NickolsChris Nickols
Air Marshal Christopher Mark Nickols CB CBE MA is a senior officer in the Royal Air Force who is currently Chief of Defence Intelligence.-RAF career:...
is the current CDI.
Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence (DCDI)
DCDI manages the analysis and production directorates of Defence Intelligence (known as the Defence Intelligence Analytical Staff or DIAS). These include directorates for:- Strategic Assessments
- Capability (weapons systems and platforms) Assessments
- Counter Proliferation
- Operations
- Development and Support
DCDI is currently Mr Nick Gurr.
Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff - Intelligence Capabilities (ACDS (IC))
ACDS (IC) is responsible for the provision of specialised intelligence, imagery and geographic support services, and for the intelligence and security training of the Armed Forces. ACDS (IC) is currently Maj Gen Jerry Thomas. In addition to a Head Office policy staff he is responsible for two major groupings within Defence Intelligence:The Intelligence Collection Group (ICG)
The ICG Headquarters is at FelthamFeltham
Feltham is a town in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It is located about west south west of central London at Charing Cross and from Heathrow Airport Central...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
and the whole organisation makes up the largest sub-element of Defence Intelligence. It is responsible for the collection of Signals, Geospatial, Imagery and Measurement and Signature Intelligence
Measurement and Signature Intelligence
Measurement and signature intelligence is a branch of intelligence gathering activities.MASINT, may have aspects of intelligence analysis management, since certain aspects of MASINT, such as the analysis of electromagnetic radiation received by signals intelligence are more of an analysis...
and comprises:
- The Defence Geographic Centre (DGC)
- The Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC, The National Imagery Exploitation Centre
JARIC
JARIC - The National Imagery Exploitation Centre, part of the Intelligence Collection Group within United Kingdom Defence Intelligence, is an imagery analysis and intelligence centre based at RAF Brampton near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, and historically known as MI4, by which name it is still...
)
- Joint Aeronautic and Geospatial Organisation (JAGO)
- Joint Services Signals Organisation (JSSO)
- Defence HUMINT Organisation (DHO)
In particular the Defence HUMINT Organisation (DHO) is a Tri-Service organisation that provides specialist support to military operations. The DHO manages strategic aspects of defence human intelligence and is under the command of a Colonel. It is based at the Feltham ICG Headquarters and consists of 350 staff who are drawn from across the three services.
The Joint Services Signals Organisation (JSSO) conducts research into new communications systems and techniques in order to provide operational support to static and deployed units. The JSSO is located at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire under the command of a Group Captain with some 1,600 staff drawn from all three services.
JAGO provides force elements from 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) as geographic sub-units and individuals operating specialist equipments to augment organic deployed headquarters capabilities, both in the UK and overseas.
The tri-service HQ JAGO is located at Hermitage, near Newbury in Berkshire and is commanded by an Army Colonel and is composed of three elements:
HQ JAGO commands and controls the organisation's current and future activities. It focuses on the development of GEOINT, geospatial and aeronautical in-service capabilities, exploiting synergies wherever possible.
It provides career and technical management support to relevant service staffs across Defence. The HQ comprises 12 military and 12 civilian staff.
42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) maintains sub-units and individuals at readiness for deployment and to support exercises. All support is provided by 3 regular Royal Engineer Geographic Squadrons and a Territorial Army Geographic Squadron.
It further provides routine Station support functions to HQ JAGO and the Defence College of Intelligence Royal School of Military Survey (DCI RSMS). The Regiment comprises 390 military personnel and soldiers and 75 civilian staff. No.1 Aeronautical Information and Documentation Unit (No1 AIDU) produces standard and non-standard products and services from 4 Flights; 2 Editorial Flights, a Production and Finishing Flight and a Support Flight. No1 AIDU comprises 108 RAF Officers and Air Cartographer and 35 civilians.
Defence Intelligence and Security Centre (DISC)
The DISC, at ChicksandsChicksands
Chicksands is a village in the Central Bedfordshire district of Bedfordshire, England and part of the civil parish of Campton and Chicksands . It is on the River Flit. Nearby places are Shefford and Campton....
, Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
, was created 1 October 1996 and provides a single defence focal point for intelligence, security, languages and photography training in the UK. The organisation consists of a headquarters, the Defence College of Intelligence and a specialist operational intelligence capability. DISC is co-located with the headquarters of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
's Intelligence Corps. In 1998/99, it employed 484 staff and its net operating cost was £27 million.
Director-General Intelligence (1964-1984)
In 1964 with the consolidation of the Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
a centralised defence intelligence organisation was formed, incorporating the former Naval Intelligence Division
Naval Intelligence Division
The Naval Intelligence Division was the intelligence arm of the British Admiralty before the establishment of a unified Defence Staff in 1965. It dealt with matters concerning British naval plans, with the collection of naval intelligence...
and the other services' pre-existing intelligence staffs.
- Major-General Sir Kenneth StrongKenneth StrongMajor General Sir Kenneth William Dobson Strong KBE, CB was a British Army officer who served in the Second World War, rising to become Director General of Intelligence. A graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Strong was commissioned into the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1920...
, 1964–1966 - Air Chief Marshal Sir Alfred EarleAlfred EarleAir Chief Marshal Sir Alfred Earle, GBE, CB, RAF was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force during World War II who later became Vice-Chief of Defence Staff.-Military career:...
, rtd 1966-1968 - Air Marshal Sir Harold MaguireHarold MaguireAir Marshal Sir Harold John Maguire, KCB, DSO, OBE, was Director-General of Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence from 1968 to 1972.-RAF career:...
, rtd 1968-1972 - Vice-Admiral Sir Louis Le BaillyLouis Le BaillyVice Admiral Sir Louis Edward Stewart Holland Le Bailly KBE, CB was a Royal Navy officer who became Director-General of Intelligence and later a writer.-Naval career:...
rtd 1972-1975 - Lieutenant-General Sir David WillisonDavid WillisonLieutenant-General Sir David Willison KCB, OBE, MC was a British soldier who served with the Royal Engineers between 1939 and 1963, from when he served in a series of military intelligence roles until his retirement from the army in 1975...
, rtd 1975-1978 - Air Chief Marshal Sir John AikenJohn AikenAir Chief Marshal Sir John Alexander Carlisle Aiken KCB was Commander of British forces in Cyprus at the time of the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.-RAF career:...
, rtd 1978-1981 - Vice-Admiral Sir Roy HallidayRoy HallidayVice-Admiral Sir Roy William "Gus" Halliday KBE, DSC was a British naval pilot who saw service in the Second World War, in the British Pacific Fleet and subsequently became Director-General Intelligence in Britain's Defence Intelligence Staff between 1981 and 1984.-War service:Halliday studied at...
, rtd 1981-1984
Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) (1964-1986)
- Vice-Admiral Sir Norman DenningNorman DenningVice Admiral Sir Norman Egbert Denning KBE CB was a British Royal Naval and Intelligence Officer at the Admirality and Defence Intelligence Staff who served as Director of Naval Planning from 1945–1956, Director of Naval Intelligence from 1960–1964 and Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for...
1964-1965 - Air Marshal Sir Harold MaguireHarold MaguireAir Marshal Sir Harold John Maguire, KCB, DSO, OBE, was Director-General of Intelligence at the Ministry of Defence from 1968 to 1972.-RAF career:...
1965-1968 - Lieutenant-General Sir Richard FyffeRichard FyffeLieutenant-General Sir Richard Alan Fyffe KBE CB DSO MC was Deputy Chief of Defence Staff .-Military career:Fyffe was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in 1932....
1968-1971 - Vice-Admiral Sir Louis Le BaillyLouis Le BaillyVice Admiral Sir Louis Edward Stewart Holland Le Bailly KBE, CB was a Royal Navy officer who became Director-General of Intelligence and later a writer.-Naval career:...
1971-1972 - Lieutenant-General Sir David WillisonDavid WillisonLieutenant-General Sir David Willison KCB, OBE, MC was a British soldier who served with the Royal Engineers between 1939 and 1963, from when he served in a series of military intelligence roles until his retirement from the army in 1975...
1972-1975 - Air Marshal Sir Richard WakefordRichard Gordon WakefordAir Marshal Sir Richard Gordon Wakeford KCB OBE LVO AFC was an officer in the Royal Air Force for 36 years, from 1941 to 1977. Beginning as a pilot of flying boats with Coastal Command, he became a flying instructor, and commanded the Queen's Flight...
1975-1978 - Vice-Admiral Sir Roy HallidayRoy HallidayVice-Admiral Sir Roy William "Gus" Halliday KBE, DSC was a British naval pilot who saw service in the Second World War, in the British Pacific Fleet and subsequently became Director-General Intelligence in Britain's Defence Intelligence Staff between 1981 and 1984.-War service:Halliday studied at...
1978-1981 - Lieutenant-General Sir James GloverJames Glover (British Army officer)General Sir James Malcolm Glover KCB DL was a former Commander in Chief, UK Land Forces.-Army career:Educated at Wellington College, Jimmy Glover, as he was generally known, was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1949. He transferred to the Rifle Brigade in 1956 and served with the Brigade...
1981-1983 - Air Marshal Sir Michael ArmitageMichael Armitage (RAF officer)Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael John Armitage KCB CBE is a former senior Royal Air Force commander.-RAF career:Educated at Newport Grammar School on the Isle of Wight, Armitage joined the Royal Air Force as an apprentice at RAF Halton in 1947. He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 17 Squadron in...
1983-1984
Chiefs of Defence Intelligence (1985-)
- Air Marshal Sir Michael ArmitageMichael Armitage (RAF officer)Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael John Armitage KCB CBE is a former senior Royal Air Force commander.-RAF career:Educated at Newport Grammar School on the Isle of Wight, Armitage joined the Royal Air Force as an apprentice at RAF Halton in 1947. He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 17 Squadron in...
1984-1986 - Lieutenant-General Sir Derek BoormanDerek BoormanLieutenant-General Sir Derek Boorman KCB was a senior British Army officer.-Military career:Educated at Wolstanton Grammar School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Boorman was commissioned into the North Staffordshire Regiment in 1950...
1986-1988 - Vice-Admiral Sir John KerrJohn Kerr (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir John Beverley Kerr GCB, DL, is a retired admiral in the Royal Navy.-Career:During his naval career Kerr commanded a frigate, a guided missile destroyer and an aircraft carrier — HMS Illustrious. He was appointed Chief of Defence Intelligence in 1988...
1988-1991 - Air Marshal Sir John WalkerJohn Walker (RAF officer)Air Marshal Sir John Robert Walker KCB CBE AFC is a former Chief of Defence Intelligence.-RAF career:Walker joined the Royal Air Force in 1956. He was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer at RAF Strike Command in 1985 and Deputy Chief of Staff at Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe in 1987...
, 1991–1994 - Lieutenant-General Sir John FoleyJohn Paul FoleyLieutenant General Sir John Paul Foley KCB, OBE, MC, DL is a retired British general with a long career in military intelligence. He is the great-grandson of Henry Hodgetts-Foley.-Military career:...
, 1994–1997 - Vice-Admiral Sir Alan WestAlan West, Baron West of SpitheadAdmiral Alan William John West, Baron West of Spithead GCB DSC PC was, from June 2007 to May 2010, a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the British Home Office with responsibility for Security and a Security Advisor to Prime Minister Gordon Brown...
, 1997–2000 - Air Marshal Sir Joe French, 2000–2003
- Lieutenant-General Andrew RidgwayAndrew RidgwayLieutenant-General Sir Andrew Peter Ridgway KBE CB is a former Lieutenant Governor of Jersey. He was appointed to the role for a 5 year term on 14 June 2006 after a long military career.-Military career:...
, 2003–2006 - Air Marshal Sir Stuart PeachStuart PeachAir Chief Marshal Sir Stuart William Peach KCB CBE FRAeS is a senior Royal Air Force officer, currently serving as the first Commander of Joint Forces Command. He was Chief of Joint Operations from March 2009 until taking up his current appointment in December 2011.-Biography:Peach was...
2006 - 2009 - Air Marshal C M NickolsChris NickolsAir Marshal Christopher Mark Nickols CB CBE MA is a senior officer in the Royal Air Force who is currently Chief of Defence Intelligence.-RAF career:...
2009 -
See also
- Operation RockinghamOperation RockinghamOperation Rockingham was the codeword for UK involvement in inspections in Iraq following the war over Kuwait in 1990-91. Early in 1991 the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq was established to oversee the destruction of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction...
- Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (United Kingdom)The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
- JARICJARICJARIC - The National Imagery Exploitation Centre, part of the Intelligence Collection Group within United Kingdom Defence Intelligence, is an imagery analysis and intelligence centre based at RAF Brampton near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, and historically known as MI4, by which name it is still...
- RAF IntelligenceRAF IntelligenceIntelligence services in the Royal Air Force is delivered by Officers of the Royal Air Force Operations Support Intelligence Branch and Airmen from the Intelligence Analyst Trade and Intelligence Analyst Trade...
- List of intelligence agencies
- Hutton inquiryHutton InquiryThe Hutton Inquiry was a 2003 judicial inquiry in the UK chaired by Lord Hutton, who was appointed by the Labour government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of David Kelly, a biological warfare expert and former UN weapons inspector in Iraq.On 18 July 2003, Kelly, an employee...
- David Kelly