Defence Intelligence (DI) is an integral part of the MOD and is the main provider of strategic defence intelligence to the Department and the Armed Forces. It provided timely intelligence products, assessments and advice to guide decisions on policy and the commitment and employment of the Armed Forces; to inform defence research and equipment programmes; and to support military operations.
DI is also an essential element of the UK's central intelligence machinery (this includes the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and the Security Service) contributing staff and resources to the Cabinet office in support of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) the UK's national intelligence committee and also to the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC).
DI supports other Government Departments with advice and intelligence assessments. Its assessments also support intelligence analysis and operations undertaken by NATO and the EU.
History
Defence intelligence can trace its ancestry back to 1946, when the Joint Intelligence Bureau (JIB) was established under the direction of General Kenneth Strong, General Eisenhower's wartime Chief of Intelligence. Following creation of a unified Ministry of Defence in 1964, the JIB was amalgamated with the three single- Service intelligence organisations to form the present organisation.
In the past the Defence Intelligence was preoccupied with Cold War Topics. Today its focus has shifted towards providing intelligence support to operations overseas, countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and supporting the global war on terrorism.
Today, Defence Intelligence has approximately 4500 staff, which includes both Service and civilian personnel. About 700 are located in the Headquarters in Whitehall, with the remainder working at other locations across the UK and overseas. Serving members of the Armed Forces make up approximately 60% of the organisation.
Chief of Defence Intelligence
The Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), a serving three-star military officer, is responsible for the overall coordination of defence intelligence throughout the Armed Forces and single-Service commands. He reports to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Permanent Secretary of the MOD and is supported by two deputies, one civilian and military.
The Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence (DCDI), a 2 star civilian equivalent, is responsible for the Defence Intelligence analysis and production, the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Intelligence Capabilities) (ACDS(IC), a serving two star military officer is responsible for intelligence collection, mapping and training.
Intelligence Analysis and Production
DCDI is responsible for intelligence analysis and production, providing global defence intelligence assessments and strategic warning on a wide range of issues including, intelligence support for operations; proliferation and arms control; conventional military capabilities; strategic warning and technical evaluations of weapons systems.
These intelligence assessments draw upon classified information provided by GCHQ, SIS the Security Service. Allied intelligence services and military collection assets, in addition to diplomatic reporting and a wide range of publicly available or ‘open source information such as media reporting and the internet.
Intelligence Collection
ACDS(IC) is responsible for the provision of the joint intelligence collection in support of the Defence and wider Government requirements, joint and single service intelligence training and future intelligence collection strategy and policy. ACDS(IC) also has a broader responsibility for drawing together defence related Intelligence, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) equipment requirements, in support of the MOD policy, commitments and equipment capabilities areas.
Responsibilities are shared among three areas. Intelligence Collection Strategy and Policy, based in London; the Intelligence Collection Group, based at various locations including Brampton and Feltham and the Defence and Security Centre based at Chicksands in Bedfordshire.