Difference between revisions of "Defence Intelligence"
(Revise page: 2026 structure, reporting lines (CSOC, Chief of Defence Intelligence, MIS, JIC), components, oversight; sourced to official publications) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | {{Infobox | + | {{short description|'''Intelligence organisation of the UK Ministry of Defence'''}} |
| − | | name = Defence Intelligence | + | {{Infobox organization |
| − | | logo = [[File:S960 DI Colour 95 .jpg|250px | + | | name = Defence Intelligence (DI) |
| − | + | | logo = [[File:S960 DI Colour 95 .jpg|250px]] | |
| − | + | | type = Military and civilian intelligence organisation of the [[Ministry of Defence]] | |
| − | + | | founded = {{Start date|2009}} (as the [[Defence Intelligence Staff]] from 1964) | |
| − | | type = | + | | location = London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire |
| − | + | | services = Intelligence collection, analysis and assessment; geospatial intelligence | |
| − | | | + | | key_people = Lieutenant General [[Matthew Jones (British Army officer)|Matthew Jones]], [[Chief of Defence Intelligence]] |
| − | | | + | | website = [https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-intelligence gov.uk/government/groups/defence-intelligence] |
| − | | | + | | remarks = Part of [[Cyber & Specialist Operations Command]] |
| − | |||
| − | | | ||
| − | |||
| − | | website = [https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-intelligence gov.uk/government/groups/defence-intelligence] | ||
| − | | | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Defence Intelligence''' (DI) is the intelligence arm of the [[Ministry of Defence]]. Until 2009 it was known as the [[Defence Intelligence Staff]].<ref name="GovDI2012">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-intelligence Defence Intelligence] ''GOV.UK'', 12 December 2012, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> |
| − | Part of | + | The government describes DI as "Part of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command". It provides intelligence products and assessments to decision makers in the MOD and wider government, working with [[GCHQ]], [[MI5]] and [[MI6]].<ref name="GovDI">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-intelligence Defence Intelligence] ''GOV.UK'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> It has around 5,000 staff, two thirds of them armed forces personnel and one third civilians, based mainly in London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. It also has national responsibilities to other government departments, among them the [[National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence]] (NCGI).<ref name="GovDI"/> |
| − | [[Defence Intelligence]] | + | DI is headed by the [[Chief of Defence Intelligence]] (CDI). In 2012 the MOD described the post as held by "a serving 3-star military officer".<ref name="GovDI2012"/> [[Adrian Bird]], CDI from 2022 to 2026, was described by the Cabinet Office as "the first civilian" to hold it.<ref name="BirdJIO"/> |
| − | [[Defence Intelligence]] | + | ==Structure and organisation, 2026== |
| + | * '''Chief of Defence Intelligence''': [[Matthew Jones (British Army officer)|Matthew Jones]]. The MOD announced on 5 February 2026 that he would succeed Adrian Bird in summer 2026.<ref name="JonesAppt"/> The government's Defence Intelligence page names Lieutenant General Matthew Jones as CDI.<ref name="GovDI"/> Bird became Chair of the [[Joint Intelligence Committee]] from 3 July 2026.<ref name="BirdJIO"/> | ||
| + | * '''Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence''' (DCDI): in 2012 the MOD described the DCDI as "a 2-star civilian equivalent" responsible for "the Defence Intelligence analysis and production".<ref name="GovDI2012"/> The March 2018 staff list said the DCDI "leads the Defence Intelligence and Assessments Staff (DIAS)".<ref name="JFC2018"/> | ||
| + | * '''Military deputy''': in 2012 this was the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Intelligence Capabilities), a two-star officer "responsible for intelligence collection, mapping and training".<ref name="GovDI2012"/> The March 2018 staff list instead names a two-star Director Cyber, Intelligence and Information Integration (Dir CI3), reporting to the CDI and "responsible for integration of C4ISR and cyber operations and capability".<ref name="JFC2018"/> | ||
| − | + | On 12 December 2025 the MOD launched the [[Military Intelligence Services]] (MIS). It said MIS would "bring together intelligence units from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, UK Space Command, and Permanent Joint Headquarters", "Under the command of the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, and the leadership of the Chief of Defence Intelligence".<ref name="MISlaunch"/><ref name="GovMIS"/> Army statements of 2026 place several intelligence units in Army chains of command (see [[#Military Intelligence Services|below]]). | |
| − | [[ | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ===Units and centres=== | |
| + | The MOD has not published a full list of the units in DI or MIS. The units below are those named in official statements. | ||
| − | + | '''Defence-wide''' | |
| − | === | + | *'''[[National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence]]''' (NCGI): named by the government as one of DI's national responsibilities.<ref name="GovDI"/> According to the [[National Collection of Aerial Photography]], the functions and staff of the [[Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre]] (JARIC) were transferred in 2013 "to the newly formed [[Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre]] (DIFC) at RAF Wyton".<ref name="NCAPJARIC">National Collection of Aerial Photography, [https://www.ncap.org/image-collection/jaric Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre] ''NCAP'', accessed 2 November 2026.</ref> No official source found states how the DIFC and the NCGI are related. |
| − | + | *'''[[Defence Intelligence Academy]]''': in December 2025 the MOD described it as "new" and said it would support MIS.<ref name="MISlaunch"/> A 2026 Civil Service job advertisement for its Targeting College, based at RAF Wyton, says it "was launched in February 2025".<ref name="CSJTarget">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=2002314 Head of Training Delivery Targeting College] ''Civil Service Jobs'', closing date 17 July 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> An Army procurement notice of 2026 says most Intelligence Corps apprenticeship training is delivered "at the Defence Intelligence Academy (DIA), Chicksands, Bedfordshire".<ref name="FTApprentice">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/procurement/ocds-h6vhtk-068876 Delivery of Apprenticeships to the Intelligence Corps] ''Find a Tender'', 17 August 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | |
| + | *'''[[Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit]]''' (DCIU): launched with MIS on 12 December 2025.<ref name="MISlaunch"/> | ||
| − | *'''[[ | + | '''Army''' |
| − | *'''[[ | + | *'''[[Intelligence Corps]]''': headquarters at MOD [[Chicksands]].<ref name="ArmyIntCorps"/> |
| − | + | *'''[[Understand Group]]''' (Land Forces Troops): the Army lists its units as the [[Land Intelligence Fusion Centre]] (LIFC), the [[Specialist Group Military Intelligence]] (SGMI), 2 Military Intelligence Battalion and 3 Military Intelligence Battalion.<ref name="ArmyLFT"/> | |
| − | *''' | + | *'''6 Military Intelligence Battalion''': placed under the [[Land Special Operations Force]] by Army freedom of information responses of June and September 2026.<ref name="FOI10971"/><ref name="FOI17115"/> |
| − | *' | + | *The Army's Intelligence Corps pages list seven Military Intelligence battalions. They place [[1 Military Intelligence Battalion]] "under the operational command of 1st (UK) Division". They place 2, 3, 4 and 5 Military Intelligence Battalions under the 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade, and give no parent formation for [[7 Military Intelligence Battalion]].<ref name="ArmyIntUnits">British Army, [https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/corps-regiments-and-units/intelligence-corps/intelligence-corps-our-units/ Intelligence Corps – Our Units] ''army.mod.uk'', accessed 2 November 2026.</ref> The Army's Land Forces Troops page lists 2 and 3 MI Battalions under the Understand Group, and 6 MI Battalion is under LSOF.<ref name="ArmyLFT"/><ref name="FOI17115"/> The MOD's December 2025 announcement describes the Army's intelligence units as part of MIS.<ref name="MISlaunch"/> See [[British Military Intelligence]] for the full list. |
| − | |||
| − | *'''[[Intelligence | + | '''NATO''' |
| − | + | *The '''[[NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre]]''' (NIFC) at RAF Molesworth is a NATO organisation, not part of DI or MIS. It provides intelligence to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Allied Command Operations.<ref name="NIFC">NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, [https://web.ifc.bices.org/ NIFC Home] ''NIFC'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> NATO opened it on 16 October 2006.<ref name="NATONIFC">NATO, [https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_22131.htm NATO global intelligence centre opens in Britain] ''NATO'', 16 October 2006, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | |
| − | + | ==Reporting lines and place in the defence intelligence system== | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | Intelligence | + | ===Command: from Strategic Command to Cyber & Specialist Operations Command=== |
| + | Defence Intelligence sat within UK Strategic Command until that command was renamed. On 1 July 2025 the Defence Secretary [[John Healey]] told Parliament that Strategic Command would become the [[Cyber & Specialist Operations Command]] (CSOC), placed "under the Command of the Chief of the Defence Staff and the newly formed Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ)" and given "'Lead Command' responsibilities for… Intelligence, Special Forces… [and] PJHQ".<ref name="HCWS762">John Healey, [https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-07-01/hcws762 Strategic Defence Review: Implementation (HCWS762)] ''UK Parliament written statement'', 1 July 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> CSOC was established on 1 September 2025 under General Sir [[James Hockenhull]].<ref name="CSOC">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cyber-specialist-operations-command-established-to-tackle-the-threats-of-today-and-tomorrow Cyber & Specialist Operations Command – Established to tackle the threats of today and tomorrow] ''GOV.UK'', 1 September 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The government's Defence Intelligence page now describes DI as "Part of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command", with around 5,000 staff, two-thirds of them military.<ref name="GovDI"/> CSOC also commands Defence's "cyber and electromagnetic capabilities",<ref name="CSOCabout">Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cyber-and-specialist-operations-command/about About us] ''GOV.UK'', accessed 2 November 2026.</ref> and [[Defence Digital]] leads "on defensive cyber strategy, capability development and policy".<ref name="DefDigital">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-digital Defence Digital] ''GOV.UK'', accessed 2 November 2026.</ref> Those bodies are covered at [[Cybersecurity policy, policing and intelligence bodies in the UK]]. | ||
| − | + | ===The Chief of Defence Intelligence=== | |
| − | + | DI is headed by the [[Chief of Defence Intelligence]] (CDI). In 2012 the MOD said the CDI was supported by a Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence (DCDI), "a 2-star civilian equivalent" responsible for analysis and production. The CDI was also supported by an Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Intelligence Capabilities), "a serving 2-star military officer" responsible for "intelligence collection, mapping and training".<ref name="GovDI2012"/> | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | The MOD's description of the post has changed over time. In 2012 it described the CDI as "a serving 3-star military officer" who "reports to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Permanent Secretary of the MOD", receiving "direction from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Permanent Under Secretary (PUS) on MOD's Intelligence needs" and drawing "national guidance from the Cabinet Office Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC)".<ref name="GovDI2012"/> An MOD staff list of March 2018 placed the CDI in [[Joint Forces Command]] and described the post as "MOD principal adviser on strategic Defence Intelligence issues. Process owner for Defence Intelligence. Defence Authority for C4ISR and Cyber" (see [[Cybersecurity policy, policing and intelligence bodies in the UK]]).<ref name="JFC2018">Ministry of Defence, [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5bd862b3e5274a6e28771671/JFC_Mar_18_senior_data.csv/preview Joint Forces Command senior, as of March 2018] ''GOV.UK'', updated 20 July 2020, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | |
| + | |||
| + | On 5 February 2026 the MOD announced that Major General Matthew Jones OBE, then Director Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, "overseeing intelligence collection, capabilities, training, and counter-intelligence", would succeed [[Adrian Bird]] as CDI in summer 2026.<ref name="JonesAppt">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defences-next-top-intelligence-officer-appointed Defence's next top intelligence officer appointed] ''GOV.UK'', 5 February 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> Bird, described by the Cabinet Office as "the first civilian" CDI, became Chair of the [[Joint Intelligence Committee]] and head of the [[Joint Intelligence Organisation]] from 3 July 2026.<ref name="BirdJIO">Cabinet Office, [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-head-of-the-joint-intelligence-organisation-appointed New Head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation Appointed] ''GOV.UK'', 22 May 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Military Intelligence Services=== | ||
| + | On 12 December 2025 the MOD launched the [[Military Intelligence Services]] (MIS) at [[RAF Wyton]], together with a new [[Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit]] and a [[Defence Intelligence Academy]]. The MOD said MIS would "bring every intelligence unit and organisation within Defence under one organisation for the first time, including units from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force", operating "Under the command of the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, and the leadership of the Chief of Defence Intelligence".<ref name="MISlaunch">Ministry of Defence and John Healey, [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-launches-new-military-intelligence-services-as-hostile-threats-surge UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge] ''GOV.UK'', 12 December 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The MIS page on GOV.UK says it is "led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence underpinned by the Defence Intelligence Charter" and lists its disciplines, including "Medical and biosecurity".<ref name="GovMIS">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/military-intelligence-services Military Intelligence Services] ''GOV.UK'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Army's own published structure gives a different picture. A British Army freedom of information response of 23 June 2026 states that 6 Military Intelligence Battalion, together with the information operations task forces later renamed 5 and 101 Information Warfare Battalions, sits under the headquarters of the [[Land Special Operations Force]] (LSOF), following a reorganisation on 14 April 2026.<ref name="FOI10971">Army Policy and Secretariat, [https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/lsof_and_former_77_brigade LSOF and former 77 Brigade] ''Freedom of Information response ArmySec/FOI2026/10971'', 23 June 2026, via WhatDoTheyKnow, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref><ref name="FOI17115">Army Policy and Secretariat, [https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/land_special_operations_force_or Land Special Operations Force organisation, nomenclature and formation insignia] ''Freedom of Information response Army/PolSec/FOI2026/17115'', 16 September 2026, via WhatDoTheyKnow, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The Army website lists the Land Intelligence Fusion Centre, the Specialist Group Military Intelligence and 2 and 3 Military Intelligence Battalions under the Army's [[Understand Group]] in Land Forces Troops.<ref name="ArmyLFT">British Army, [https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/formations-divisions-and-brigades/land-forces-troops/ Land Forces Troops] ''army.mod.uk'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The MOD's December 2025 announcement therefore describes all Defence intelligence units as one organisation under the CDI's leadership, while the Army's 2026 statements continue to place several intelligence units in Army chains of command. No published source found reconciles the two. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Defence Intelligence and the Joint Intelligence Committee=== | ||
| + | In 2012 the MOD described DI as "an essential element of the UK's central intelligence machinery", contributing "staff and resources to the Cabinet Office in support of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC)".<ref name="GovDI2012"/> The JIC is supported by the [[Joint Intelligence Organisation]] (JIO) in the [[Cabinet Office]], which according to the government provides "all-source intelligence assessments for the Prime Minister, the National Security Council" and others.<ref name="GovNSS">Cabinet Office, [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/national-security/about National Security Secretariat and Joint Intelligence Organisation: about] ''GOV.UK'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The movement of the outgoing CDI, Adrian Bird, to the chair of the JIC in July 2026 is one example of the personnel links between the two.<ref name="BirdJIO"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Components=== | ||
| + | In 2012 the MOD said that collection responsibilities were 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".<ref name="GovDI2012"/> See also [[Intelligence Collection Group]] and [[Joint Forces Intelligence Group]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The imagery unit at Wyton has a long lineage. According to the National Collection of Aerial Photography, the wartime Central Interpretation Unit at RAF Medmenham became the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre in 1953 and moved to RAF Brampton in 1956. The JARIC title was "formally retired in 2012". The following year its functions and staff were transferred to the newly formed Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre at RAF Wyton.<ref name="NCAPJARIC"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Chicksands is the headquarters of the [[Intelligence Corps]].<ref name="ArmyIntCorps">British Army, [https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/corps-regiments-and-units/intelligence-corps/ Intelligence Corps] ''army.mod.uk'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> In December 2025 the MOD said MIS would be supported by a new [[Defence Intelligence Academy]], and in 2026 an Army procurement notice placed the Academy at Chicksands.<ref name="MISlaunch"/><ref name="FTApprentice"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Medical intelligence is among the MIS disciplines listed by the MOD ("Medical and biosecurity").<ref name="GovMIS"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Single-service intelligence chains=== | ||
| + | '''Army.''' The Army 2020 basing plan of March 2013 placed 1, 2 and 4 Military Intelligence Battalions under [[Force Troops Command]]'s 1st Intelligence and Surveillance Brigade, with its headquarters at Upavon.<ref name="Basing2013">Ministry of Defence, [https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2013-0426/20130301-A2020_Reg_Basing_Matrix-OrgPlans-FINAL-R.pdf Regular Army Basing Matrix by Formation and Unit: 5 Mar 13] ''UK Parliament deposited paper DEP2013-0426'', 5 March 2013, accessed 2 November 2026.</ref> On 1 August 2019 Force Troops Command was redesignated [[6th (United Kingdom) Division]], which included the [[1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade]] and [[77th Brigade]].<ref name="Army2019">Ministry of Defence, [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/army-restructures-to-confront-evolving-threats Army restructures to confront evolving threats] ''GOV.UK'', 1 August 2019, accessed 2 November 2026.</ref> Under the Future Soldier plans, the [[Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group]] "will command" the [[Specialist Group Military Intelligence]] (SGMI) and the [[Land Intelligence Fusion Centre]].<ref name="ArmyISRG">British Army, [https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/formations-divisions-and-brigades/land-forces-troops/intelligence-surveillance-and-reconnaissance-group/ Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group] ''army.mod.uk'', accessed 2 November 2026.</ref> No official source found gives the date 6th Division ceased or when the Understand Group was formed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Army website now describes the [[Understand Group]] as "The Intelligence engine at the heart of the Field Army", linking Army intelligence "with the RAF and Navy Intelligence Branches, Defence Intelligence, Partners Across Government and Allies". It lists the group's units as the Land Intelligence Fusion Centre, SGMI and 2 and 3 Military Intelligence Battalions, within Land Forces Troops.<ref name="ArmyLFT"/><ref name="ArmyUG">British Army, [https://www.army.mod.uk/learn-and-explore/about-the-army/formations-divisions-and-brigades/land-forces-troops/understand-group/ Understand Group] ''army.mod.uk'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> Land Forces Troops also contains the [[Land Special Operations Force]]. Its units, according to a September 2026 Army freedom of information response, include 6 Military Intelligence Battalion, 5 and 101 Information Warfare Battalions and the [[Honourable Artillery Company]]. The Army said the name "Cognitive Warfare Group" was "not a recognised or endorsed naming convention".<ref name="FOI17115"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Royal Air Force.''' No. 1 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing is based at RAF Waddington. Its ISR Support Squadron supports 54 Signals Unit and 2 ISR Squadron from Waddington, RAF Digby and RAF Marham.<ref name="RAFISR">Royal Air Force, [https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/squadrons/isr-support-squadron/ ISR Support Squadron] ''raf.mod.uk'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Royal Navy.''' The Army describes a separate "Navy Intelligence Branch".<ref name="ArmyUG"/> MIS is said by the MOD to include Royal Navy units.<ref name="MISlaunch"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Oversight=== | ||
| + | '''Intelligence and Security Committee.''' Section 2 of the Justice and Security Act 2013 gives the [[Intelligence and Security Committee]] (ISC) oversight of the "expenditure, administration, policy and operations" of the [[Security Service]], [[Secret Intelligence Service]] and [[Government Communications Headquarters]]. It also covers "such other activities of Her Majesty's Government in relation to intelligence or security matters as are set out in a memorandum of understanding" agreed with the Prime Minister.<ref name="JSA2">[https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/18/section/2 Justice and Security Act 2013, section 2] ''legislation.gov.uk'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The 2013 memorandum lists, for the MOD: "i. The strategic intelligence activities undertaken by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, including intelligence collection, analysis and training. ii. Offensive cyber." A footnote adds that "general military operations conducted by the MOD are not part of the ISC's oversight responsibilities".<ref name="ISC1314">Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2013-2014_ISC_AR.pdf Annual Report 2013–2014 (HC 794), Annex A: Memorandum of Understanding] ''ISC'', 25 November 2014, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ISC's website currently lists eight bodies: "the ISC oversees the policies, expenditure, administration and operations of MI5, MI6, GCHQ, Defence Intelligence, the National Cyber Force, the Joint Intelligence Organisation, the National Security Secretariat (NSS) and Homeland Security Group."<ref name="ISCHome">Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/ Home: Remit] ''ISC'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> Its December 2025 annual report states that seven organisations were listed in the 2013 memorandum. The [[National Cyber Force]] "was added to the Committee's remit in April 2020, by way of a letter from the Foreign and Defence Secretaries". The report adds that "the MoU has not been updated at all since it was first published 12 years ago".<ref name="ISC2325">Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ISC-Annual-Report-2023%E2%80%932025-Web-Accessible.pdf Annual Report 2023–2025 (HC 1544)] ''ISC'', 15 December 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ISC and ministers have disagreed over how far this oversight reaches. On 16 July 2025, responding to the former Defence Secretary [[Ben Wallace]], the ISC said: "Under the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Committee has statutory oversight of Defence Intelligence: there is nothing voluntary about it." It added that it could examine current operations "with the agreement of Ministers".<ref name="ISCStatements">Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, [https://isc.independent.gov.uk/statements/ Statements] ''ISC'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> After the MIS announcement, the ISC Chair, Lord Beamish ([[Kevan Jones]]), said on 16 December 2025 that the Committee had not been "properly informed in advance". He said the Act and memorandum "clearly place the intelligence activities undertaken by the Chief of Defence Intelligence - including intelligence collection, analysis and training - under the remit of the Intelligence and Security Committee". He called the lack of consultation "completely unacceptable", said the Committee had received an apology from the Defence Secretary, and said it would require him to appear before it.<ref name="ISCStatements"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Investigatory Powers Commissioner.''' According to the government's DI page, "The Investigatory Powers Commissioner inspects Defence Intelligence records for activities which may fall within the RIPA (2000) and the IPA (2016)".<ref name="GovDI"/> The Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) says it inspects the Ministry of Defence "three times a year, on the powers that they make use of".<ref name="IPCOIntel">Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office, [https://www.ipco.org.uk/what-we-do/organisations-we-oversee/intelligence-agencies/ Intelligence agencies] ''IPCO'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The government's factsheets on the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill proposed placing "the IPC's oversight of Ministry of Defence compliance with policies governing surveillance, and the use of covert human intelligence sources outside the UK, on a statutory footing".<ref name="IPABFact">Home Office, [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investigatory-powers-amendment-bill-factsheets Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill: factsheets] ''GOV.UK'', 2023, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The Commissioner's report for 2025 says that in 2023 the MOD began authorising all covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) under RIPA "regardless of location", and that "Since 2021, we have identified repeated non-compliance in the standard of MoD CHIS risk assessments". It describes a 2025 case involving "a serious operational security compromise", after which "the Chief of Defence Intelligence commissioned a comprehensive internal review of MoD CHIS policy and practice". The report also records "shortcomings" in the MOD's application of the government's Principles on detainees overseas.<ref name="IPCO2025">Investigatory Powers Commissioner, [https://www.ipco.org.uk/publications/annual-reports/ Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner 2025 (HC 253)] ''IPCO'', 29 October 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Defence Committee.''' The Commons [[House of Commons Defence Committee|Defence Committee]] examines "the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Ministry of Defence and its associated public bodies".<ref name="DefCom">UK Parliament, [https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/24/defence-committee/role/ Role – Defence Committee] ''UK Parliament'', accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The 2013 memorandum states that ISC oversight "will not affect the wider scrutiny of departments such as the Home Office, FCO and MOD by other parliamentary committees".<ref name="ISC1314"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Units outside the ISC list.''' The ISC's list names Defence Intelligence and the National Cyber Force but no single-service intelligence formation. The memorandum ties MOD oversight to activities "undertaken by the Chief of Defence Intelligence" and excludes "general military operations".<ref name="ISC1314"/> No published memorandum, ISC report or government statement found names the Army's Understand Group, the Intelligence Corps battalions, the Land Special Operations Force or its Information Warfare Battalions, SGMI, the Honourable Artillery Company, or the RAF and Royal Navy intelligence formations as within the ISC's remit. The ISC's December 2025 statement asserts that the CDI-led MIS reforms fall within it.<ref name="ISCStatements"/> The [[UK Special Forces]] are not on the list. Asked in 2020 about independent oversight, the Defence Secretary told the Commons that "It has been the long-standing position of successive Governments not to comment on the operations activity of the UK's special forces" and that "All military operations are overseen and scrutinised by Ministers, who are accountable to this Parliament".<ref name="HansardSF">Ben Wallace, [https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-09-21/debates/3DFC73F6-E36F-4B99-AB9C-2521D7A0D28B/SpecialForcesIndependentOversight Special Forces: Independent Oversight] ''Hansard'', House of Commons, 21 September 2020, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> The ISC's 2023–25 report calls the memorandum "woefully out of date", meaning "there is intelligence and security activity being undertaken by the Government that is outside the remit of the Committee and therefore does not receive effective Parliamentary scrutiny".<ref name="ISC2325"/> | ||
==People== | ==People== | ||
| Line 247: | Line 276: | ||
|2006 | |2006 | ||
|2009 | |2009 | ||
| − | |3 years<ref>UK Government, [https://www.gov.uk/government/people/stuart-peach Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach KG GBE KCB DL] ''GOV.UK'', accessed April 2026.</ref> | + | |3 years<ref name="Rdd800b">UK Government, [https://www.gov.uk/government/people/stuart-peach Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach KG GBE KCB DL] ''GOV.UK'', accessed April 2026.</ref> |
|- | |- | ||
|26 | |26 | ||
| Line 257: | Line 286: | ||
|- | |- | ||
|27 | |27 | ||
| + | |Chief of Defence Intelligence | ||
| + | |[[Alan Richards|Vice-Admiral Alan Richards]] | ||
| + | |January 2012 | ||
| + | |January 2015 | ||
| + | |3 years<ref name="GazRichards">''The London Gazette'', [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/60038/data.pdf Supplement No. 2, Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy] ''The London Gazette'', 24 January 2012, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |28 | ||
| + | |Chief of Defence Intelligence | ||
| + | |[[Philip Osborn|Air Marshal Philip Osborn]] | ||
| + | |21 January 2015 | ||
| + | |4 December 2018 | ||
| + | |~4 years<ref name="GazOsborn">''The London Gazette'', [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/61123/supplement/1283 Supplement 61123, p. 1283, Royal Air Force] ''The London Gazette'', 27 January 2015, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref><ref name="ACOBAOsborn">Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/osborn-philip-chief-of-defence-intelligence-ministry-of-defence-acoba-advice--2 Osborn, Philip - Chief of Defence Intelligence, Ministry of Defence - ACOBA advice] ''GOV.UK'', 1 December 2020, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |29 | ||
|Chief of Defence Intelligence | |Chief of Defence Intelligence | ||
|[[James Hockenhull|General Sir James Hockenhull KBE ADC Gen]] | |[[James Hockenhull|General Sir James Hockenhull KBE ADC Gen]] | ||
| Line 263: | Line 306: | ||
|4 years | |4 years | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |30 |
|Chief of Defence Intelligence | |Chief of Defence Intelligence | ||
|[[Adrian Bird|Adrian Bird CB]] | |[[Adrian Bird|Adrian Bird CB]] | ||
|September 2022 | |September 2022 | ||
| + | |2026 | ||
| + | |~4 years<ref name="R6a0aef">UK Government, [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/adrian-bird-appointed-new-chief-of-defence-intelligence--2 Adrian Bird appointed new Chief of Defence Intelligence] ''GOV.UK'', 22 July 2022, accessed 1 November 2026.</ref><ref name="BirdJIO"/> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |31 | ||
| + | |Chief of Defence Intelligence | ||
| + | |[[Matthew Jones (British Army officer)|Lieutenant General Matthew Jones OBE]] | ||
| + | |summer 2026 | ||
|present | |present | ||
| − | | | + | |<ref name="JonesAppt"/><ref name="GovDI"/> |
|} | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[British Military Intelligence]] | ||
| + | *[[British Intelligence]] | ||
| + | *[[Military Intelligence Services]] | ||
| + | *[[Cyber & Specialist Operations Command]] | ||
| + | *[[Cybersecurity policy, policing and intelligence bodies in the UK]] | ||
==Resources== | ==Resources== | ||
Latest revision as of 15:43, 5 November 2026
Intelligence organisation of the UK Ministry of Defence
| Defence Intelligence (DI)
| |
|---|---|
| Logo | 
|
| Type | Military and civilian intelligence organisation of the Ministry of Defence |
| Founded | 2009 (as the Defence Intelligence Staff from 1964) |
| Location | London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire |
| Services | Intelligence collection, analysis and assessment; geospatial intelligence |
| Key people | Lieutenant General Matthew Jones, Chief of Defence Intelligence |
| Website | gov.uk/government/groups/defence-intelligence |
| Remarks | Part of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command |
Defence Intelligence (DI) is the intelligence arm of the Ministry of Defence. Until 2009 it was known as the Defence Intelligence Staff.[1]
The government describes DI as "Part of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command". It provides intelligence products and assessments to decision makers in the MOD and wider government, working with GCHQ, MI5 and MI6.[2] It has around 5,000 staff, two thirds of them armed forces personnel and one third civilians, based mainly in London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. It also has national responsibilities to other government departments, among them the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI).[2]
DI is headed by the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI). In 2012 the MOD described the post as held by "a serving 3-star military officer".[1] Adrian Bird, CDI from 2022 to 2026, was described by the Cabinet Office as "the first civilian" to hold it.[3]
Structure and organisation, 2026
- Chief of Defence Intelligence: Matthew Jones. The MOD announced on 5 February 2026 that he would succeed Adrian Bird in summer 2026.[4] The government's Defence Intelligence page names Lieutenant General Matthew Jones as CDI.[2] Bird became Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee from 3 July 2026.[3]
- Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence (DCDI): in 2012 the MOD described the DCDI as "a 2-star civilian equivalent" responsible for "the Defence Intelligence analysis and production".[1] The March 2018 staff list said the DCDI "leads the Defence Intelligence and Assessments Staff (DIAS)".[5]
- Military deputy: in 2012 this was the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Intelligence Capabilities), a two-star officer "responsible for intelligence collection, mapping and training".[1] The March 2018 staff list instead names a two-star Director Cyber, Intelligence and Information Integration (Dir CI3), reporting to the CDI and "responsible for integration of C4ISR and cyber operations and capability".[5]
On 12 December 2025 the MOD launched the Military Intelligence Services (MIS). It said MIS would "bring together intelligence units from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, UK Space Command, and Permanent Joint Headquarters", "Under the command of the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, and the leadership of the Chief of Defence Intelligence".[6][7] Army statements of 2026 place several intelligence units in Army chains of command (see below).
Units and centres
The MOD has not published a full list of the units in DI or MIS. The units below are those named in official statements.
Defence-wide
- National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI): named by the government as one of DI's national responsibilities.[2] According to the National Collection of Aerial Photography, the functions and staff of the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC) were transferred in 2013 "to the newly formed Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre (DIFC) at RAF Wyton".[8] No official source found states how the DIFC and the NCGI are related.
- Defence Intelligence Academy: in December 2025 the MOD described it as "new" and said it would support MIS.[6] A 2026 Civil Service job advertisement for its Targeting College, based at RAF Wyton, says it "was launched in February 2025".[9] An Army procurement notice of 2026 says most Intelligence Corps apprenticeship training is delivered "at the Defence Intelligence Academy (DIA), Chicksands, Bedfordshire".[10]
- Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit (DCIU): launched with MIS on 12 December 2025.[6]
Army
- Intelligence Corps: headquarters at MOD Chicksands.[11]
- Understand Group (Land Forces Troops): the Army lists its units as the Land Intelligence Fusion Centre (LIFC), the Specialist Group Military Intelligence (SGMI), 2 Military Intelligence Battalion and 3 Military Intelligence Battalion.[12]
- 6 Military Intelligence Battalion: placed under the Land Special Operations Force by Army freedom of information responses of June and September 2026.[13][14]
- The Army's Intelligence Corps pages list seven Military Intelligence battalions. They place 1 Military Intelligence Battalion "under the operational command of 1st (UK) Division". They place 2, 3, 4 and 5 Military Intelligence Battalions under the 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade, and give no parent formation for 7 Military Intelligence Battalion.[15] The Army's Land Forces Troops page lists 2 and 3 MI Battalions under the Understand Group, and 6 MI Battalion is under LSOF.[12][14] The MOD's December 2025 announcement describes the Army's intelligence units as part of MIS.[6] See British Military Intelligence for the full list.
NATO
- The NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (NIFC) at RAF Molesworth is a NATO organisation, not part of DI or MIS. It provides intelligence to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Allied Command Operations.[16] NATO opened it on 16 October 2006.[17]
Reporting lines and place in the defence intelligence system
Command: from Strategic Command to Cyber & Specialist Operations Command
Defence Intelligence sat within UK Strategic Command until that command was renamed. On 1 July 2025 the Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament that Strategic Command would become the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (CSOC), placed "under the Command of the Chief of the Defence Staff and the newly formed Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ)" and given "'Lead Command' responsibilities for… Intelligence, Special Forces… [and] PJHQ".[18] CSOC was established on 1 September 2025 under General Sir James Hockenhull.[19] The government's Defence Intelligence page now describes DI as "Part of Cyber & Specialist Operations Command", with around 5,000 staff, two-thirds of them military.[2] CSOC also commands Defence's "cyber and electromagnetic capabilities",[20] and Defence Digital leads "on defensive cyber strategy, capability development and policy".[21] Those bodies are covered at Cybersecurity policy, policing and intelligence bodies in the UK.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence
DI is headed by the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI). In 2012 the MOD said the CDI was supported by a Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence (DCDI), "a 2-star civilian equivalent" responsible for analysis and production. The CDI was also supported by an Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Intelligence Capabilities), "a serving 2-star military officer" responsible for "intelligence collection, mapping and training".[1]
The MOD's description of the post has changed over time. In 2012 it described the CDI as "a serving 3-star military officer" who "reports to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Permanent Secretary of the MOD", receiving "direction from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Permanent Under Secretary (PUS) on MOD's Intelligence needs" and drawing "national guidance from the Cabinet Office Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC)".[1] An MOD staff list of March 2018 placed the CDI in Joint Forces Command and described the post as "MOD principal adviser on strategic Defence Intelligence issues. Process owner for Defence Intelligence. Defence Authority for C4ISR and Cyber" (see Cybersecurity policy, policing and intelligence bodies in the UK).[5]
On 5 February 2026 the MOD announced that Major General Matthew Jones OBE, then Director Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, "overseeing intelligence collection, capabilities, training, and counter-intelligence", would succeed Adrian Bird as CDI in summer 2026.[4] Bird, described by the Cabinet Office as "the first civilian" CDI, became Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee and head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation from 3 July 2026.[3]
Military Intelligence Services
On 12 December 2025 the MOD launched the Military Intelligence Services (MIS) at RAF Wyton, together with a new Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit and a Defence Intelligence Academy. The MOD said MIS would "bring every intelligence unit and organisation within Defence under one organisation for the first time, including units from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force", operating "Under the command of the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, and the leadership of the Chief of Defence Intelligence".[6] The MIS page on GOV.UK says it is "led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence underpinned by the Defence Intelligence Charter" and lists its disciplines, including "Medical and biosecurity".[7]
The Army's own published structure gives a different picture. A British Army freedom of information response of 23 June 2026 states that 6 Military Intelligence Battalion, together with the information operations task forces later renamed 5 and 101 Information Warfare Battalions, sits under the headquarters of the Land Special Operations Force (LSOF), following a reorganisation on 14 April 2026.[13][14] The Army website lists the Land Intelligence Fusion Centre, the Specialist Group Military Intelligence and 2 and 3 Military Intelligence Battalions under the Army's Understand Group in Land Forces Troops.[12] The MOD's December 2025 announcement therefore describes all Defence intelligence units as one organisation under the CDI's leadership, while the Army's 2026 statements continue to place several intelligence units in Army chains of command. No published source found reconciles the two.
Defence Intelligence and the Joint Intelligence Committee
In 2012 the MOD described DI as "an essential element of the UK's central intelligence machinery", contributing "staff and resources to the Cabinet Office in support of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC)".[1] The JIC is supported by the Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO) in the Cabinet Office, which according to the government provides "all-source intelligence assessments for the Prime Minister, the National Security Council" and others.[22] The movement of the outgoing CDI, Adrian Bird, to the chair of the JIC in July 2026 is one example of the personnel links between the two.[3]
Components
In 2012 the MOD said that collection responsibilities were 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".[1] See also Intelligence Collection Group and Joint Forces Intelligence Group.
The imagery unit at Wyton has a long lineage. According to the National Collection of Aerial Photography, the wartime Central Interpretation Unit at RAF Medmenham became the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre in 1953 and moved to RAF Brampton in 1956. The JARIC title was "formally retired in 2012". The following year its functions and staff were transferred to the newly formed Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre at RAF Wyton.[8]
Chicksands is the headquarters of the Intelligence Corps.[11] In December 2025 the MOD said MIS would be supported by a new Defence Intelligence Academy, and in 2026 an Army procurement notice placed the Academy at Chicksands.[6][10]
Medical intelligence is among the MIS disciplines listed by the MOD ("Medical and biosecurity").[7]
Single-service intelligence chains
Army. The Army 2020 basing plan of March 2013 placed 1, 2 and 4 Military Intelligence Battalions under Force Troops Command's 1st Intelligence and Surveillance Brigade, with its headquarters at Upavon.[23] On 1 August 2019 Force Troops Command was redesignated 6th (United Kingdom) Division, which included the 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade and 77th Brigade.[24] Under the Future Soldier plans, the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group "will command" the Specialist Group Military Intelligence (SGMI) and the Land Intelligence Fusion Centre.[25] No official source found gives the date 6th Division ceased or when the Understand Group was formed.
The Army website now describes the Understand Group as "The Intelligence engine at the heart of the Field Army", linking Army intelligence "with the RAF and Navy Intelligence Branches, Defence Intelligence, Partners Across Government and Allies". It lists the group's units as the Land Intelligence Fusion Centre, SGMI and 2 and 3 Military Intelligence Battalions, within Land Forces Troops.[12][26] Land Forces Troops also contains the Land Special Operations Force. Its units, according to a September 2026 Army freedom of information response, include 6 Military Intelligence Battalion, 5 and 101 Information Warfare Battalions and the Honourable Artillery Company. The Army said the name "Cognitive Warfare Group" was "not a recognised or endorsed naming convention".[14]
Royal Air Force. No. 1 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing is based at RAF Waddington. Its ISR Support Squadron supports 54 Signals Unit and 2 ISR Squadron from Waddington, RAF Digby and RAF Marham.[27]
Royal Navy. The Army describes a separate "Navy Intelligence Branch".[26] MIS is said by the MOD to include Royal Navy units.[6]
Oversight
Intelligence and Security Committee. Section 2 of the Justice and Security Act 2013 gives the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) oversight of the "expenditure, administration, policy and operations" of the Security Service, Secret Intelligence Service and Government Communications Headquarters. It also covers "such other activities of Her Majesty's Government in relation to intelligence or security matters as are set out in a memorandum of understanding" agreed with the Prime Minister.[28] The 2013 memorandum lists, for the MOD: "i. The strategic intelligence activities undertaken by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, including intelligence collection, analysis and training. ii. Offensive cyber." A footnote adds that "general military operations conducted by the MOD are not part of the ISC's oversight responsibilities".[29]
The ISC's website currently lists eight bodies: "the ISC oversees the policies, expenditure, administration and operations of MI5, MI6, GCHQ, Defence Intelligence, the National Cyber Force, the Joint Intelligence Organisation, the National Security Secretariat (NSS) and Homeland Security Group."[30] Its December 2025 annual report states that seven organisations were listed in the 2013 memorandum. The National Cyber Force "was added to the Committee's remit in April 2020, by way of a letter from the Foreign and Defence Secretaries". The report adds that "the MoU has not been updated at all since it was first published 12 years ago".[31]
The ISC and ministers have disagreed over how far this oversight reaches. On 16 July 2025, responding to the former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, the ISC said: "Under the Justice and Security Act 2013, the Committee has statutory oversight of Defence Intelligence: there is nothing voluntary about it." It added that it could examine current operations "with the agreement of Ministers".[32] After the MIS announcement, the ISC Chair, Lord Beamish (Kevan Jones), said on 16 December 2025 that the Committee had not been "properly informed in advance". He said the Act and memorandum "clearly place the intelligence activities undertaken by the Chief of Defence Intelligence - including intelligence collection, analysis and training - under the remit of the Intelligence and Security Committee". He called the lack of consultation "completely unacceptable", said the Committee had received an apology from the Defence Secretary, and said it would require him to appear before it.[32]
Investigatory Powers Commissioner. According to the government's DI page, "The Investigatory Powers Commissioner inspects Defence Intelligence records for activities which may fall within the RIPA (2000) and the IPA (2016)".[2] The Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) says it inspects the Ministry of Defence "three times a year, on the powers that they make use of".[33] The government's factsheets on the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill proposed placing "the IPC's oversight of Ministry of Defence compliance with policies governing surveillance, and the use of covert human intelligence sources outside the UK, on a statutory footing".[34] The Commissioner's report for 2025 says that in 2023 the MOD began authorising all covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) under RIPA "regardless of location", and that "Since 2021, we have identified repeated non-compliance in the standard of MoD CHIS risk assessments". It describes a 2025 case involving "a serious operational security compromise", after which "the Chief of Defence Intelligence commissioned a comprehensive internal review of MoD CHIS policy and practice". The report also records "shortcomings" in the MOD's application of the government's Principles on detainees overseas.[35]
Defence Committee. The Commons Defence Committee examines "the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Ministry of Defence and its associated public bodies".[36] The 2013 memorandum states that ISC oversight "will not affect the wider scrutiny of departments such as the Home Office, FCO and MOD by other parliamentary committees".[29]
Units outside the ISC list. The ISC's list names Defence Intelligence and the National Cyber Force but no single-service intelligence formation. The memorandum ties MOD oversight to activities "undertaken by the Chief of Defence Intelligence" and excludes "general military operations".[29] No published memorandum, ISC report or government statement found names the Army's Understand Group, the Intelligence Corps battalions, the Land Special Operations Force or its Information Warfare Battalions, SGMI, the Honourable Artillery Company, or the RAF and Royal Navy intelligence formations as within the ISC's remit. The ISC's December 2025 statement asserts that the CDI-led MIS reforms fall within it.[32] The UK Special Forces are not on the list. Asked in 2020 about independent oversight, the Defence Secretary told the Commons that "It has been the long-standing position of successive Governments not to comment on the operations activity of the UK's special forces" and that "All military operations are overseen and scrutinised by Ministers, who are accountable to this Parliament".[37] The ISC's 2023–25 report calls the memorandum "woefully out of date", meaning "there is intelligence and security activity being undertaken by the Government that is outside the remit of the Committee and therefore does not receive effective Parliamentary scrutiny".[31]
People
| # | Role / Title | Name | Term start | Term end | Term length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director-General Intelligence | Major-General Sir Kenneth Strong | 1964 | 1966 | 2 years |
| 2 | Director-General Intelligence | Air Chief Marshal Sir Alfred Earle (rtd) | 1966 | 1968 | 2 years |
| 3 | Director-General Intelligence | Air Marshal Sir Harold Maguire (rtd) | 1968 | 1972 | 4 years |
| 4 | Director-General Intelligence | Vice-Admiral Sir Louis Le Bailly | 1972 | 1975 | 3 years |
| 5 | Director-General Intelligence | Lieutenant-General Sir David Willison (rtd) | 1975 | 1978 | 3 years |
| 6 | Director-General Intelligence | Air Chief Marshal Sir John Aiken (rtd) | 1978 | 1981 | 3 years |
| 7 | Director-General Intelligence | Vice-Admiral Sir Roy Halliday (rtd) | 1981 | 1984 | 3 years |
| 8 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Vice-Admiral Sir Norman Denning | 1964 | 1965 | 1 year |
| 9 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Air Marshal Sir Harold Maguire | 1965 | 1968 | 3 years |
| 10 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Lieutenant-General Sir Richard Fyffe | 1968 | 1971 | 3 years |
| 11 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Vice-Admiral Sir Louis Le Bailly | 1971 | 1972 | 1 year |
| 12 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Lieutenant-General Sir David Willison | 1972 | 1975 | 3 years |
| 13 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Air Marshal Sir Richard Wakeford | 1975 | 1978 | 3 years |
| 14 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Vice-Admiral Sir Roy Halliday | 1978 | 1981 | 3 years |
| 15 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Lieutenant-General Sir James Glover | 1981 | 1983 | 2 years |
| 16 | Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) | Air Marshal Sir Michael Armitage | 1983 | 1984 | 1 year |
| 17 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Air Marshal Sir Michael Armitage | 1984 | 1986 | 2 years |
| 18 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Lieutenant-General Sir Derek Boorman | 1986 | 1988 | 2 years |
| 19 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Vice-Admiral Sir John Kerr | 1988 | 1991 | 3 years |
| 20 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Air Marshal Sir John Walker | 1991 | 1994 | 3 years |
| 21 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Lieutenant-General Sir John Foley | 1994 | 1997 | 3 years |
| 22 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Vice-Admiral Sir Alan West | 1997 | 2000 | 3 years |
| 23 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Air Marshal Sir Joe French | 2000 | 2003 | 3 years |
| 24 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Ridgway | 2003 | 2006 | 3 years |
| 25 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach | 2006 | 2009 | 3 years[38] |
| 26 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Air Marshal C M Nickols | 2009 | 2012 | ~3 years |
| 27 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Vice-Admiral Alan Richards | January 2012 | January 2015 | 3 years[39] |
| 28 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Air Marshal Philip Osborn | 21 January 2015 | 4 December 2018 | ~4 years[40][41] |
| 29 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | General Sir James Hockenhull KBE ADC Gen | 2018 | 2022 | 4 years |
| 30 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Adrian Bird CB | September 2022 | 2026 | ~4 years[42][3] |
| 31 | Chief of Defence Intelligence | Lieutenant General Matthew Jones OBE | summer 2026 | present | [4][2] |
See also
- British Military Intelligence
- British Intelligence
- Military Intelligence Services
- Cyber & Specialist Operations Command
- Cybersecurity policy, policing and intelligence bodies in the UK
Resources
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-intelligence-communicating-probability
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13061711/inside-worlds-biggest-military-spy-base-uk.html
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence GOV.UK, 12 December 2012, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence GOV.UK, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Cabinet Office, New Head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation Appointed GOV.UK, 22 May 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ministry of Defence, Defence's next top intelligence officer appointed GOV.UK, 5 February 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Ministry of Defence, Joint Forces Command senior, as of March 2018 GOV.UK, updated 20 July 2020, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Ministry of Defence and John Healey, UK launches new Military Intelligence Services as hostile threats surge GOV.UK, 12 December 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Ministry of Defence, Military Intelligence Services GOV.UK, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 National Collection of Aerial Photography, Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre NCAP, accessed 2 November 2026.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Head of Training Delivery Targeting College Civil Service Jobs, closing date 17 July 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ministry of Defence, Delivery of Apprenticeships to the Intelligence Corps Find a Tender, 17 August 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 British Army, Intelligence Corps army.mod.uk, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 British Army, Land Forces Troops army.mod.uk, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Army Policy and Secretariat, LSOF and former 77 Brigade Freedom of Information response ArmySec/FOI2026/10971, 23 June 2026, via WhatDoTheyKnow, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Army Policy and Secretariat, Land Special Operations Force organisation, nomenclature and formation insignia Freedom of Information response Army/PolSec/FOI2026/17115, 16 September 2026, via WhatDoTheyKnow, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ British Army, Intelligence Corps – Our Units army.mod.uk, accessed 2 November 2026.
- ↑ NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, NIFC Home NIFC, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ NATO, NATO global intelligence centre opens in Britain NATO, 16 October 2006, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ John Healey, Strategic Defence Review: Implementation (HCWS762) UK Parliament written statement, 1 July 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Cyber & Specialist Operations Command – Established to tackle the threats of today and tomorrow GOV.UK, 1 September 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Cyber & Specialist Operations Command, About us GOV.UK, accessed 2 November 2026.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Defence Digital GOV.UK, accessed 2 November 2026.
- ↑ Cabinet Office, National Security Secretariat and Joint Intelligence Organisation: about GOV.UK, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Regular Army Basing Matrix by Formation and Unit: 5 Mar 13 UK Parliament deposited paper DEP2013-0426, 5 March 2013, accessed 2 November 2026.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Army restructures to confront evolving threats GOV.UK, 1 August 2019, accessed 2 November 2026.
- ↑ British Army, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group army.mod.uk, accessed 2 November 2026.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 British Army, Understand Group army.mod.uk, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Royal Air Force, ISR Support Squadron raf.mod.uk, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Justice and Security Act 2013, section 2 legislation.gov.uk, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Annual Report 2013–2014 (HC 794), Annex A: Memorandum of Understanding ISC, 25 November 2014, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Home: Remit ISC, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Annual Report 2023–2025 (HC 1544) ISC, 15 December 2025, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Statements ISC, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office, Intelligence agencies IPCO, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Home Office, Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill: factsheets GOV.UK, 2023, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Investigatory Powers Commissioner, Annual Report of the Investigatory Powers Commissioner 2025 (HC 253) IPCO, 29 October 2026, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ UK Parliament, Role – Defence Committee UK Parliament, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Ben Wallace, Special Forces: Independent Oversight Hansard, House of Commons, 21 September 2020, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ UK Government, Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach KG GBE KCB DL GOV.UK, accessed April 2026.
- ↑ The London Gazette, Supplement No. 2, Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy The London Gazette, 24 January 2012, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ The London Gazette, Supplement 61123, p. 1283, Royal Air Force The London Gazette, 27 January 2015, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, Osborn, Philip - Chief of Defence Intelligence, Ministry of Defence - ACOBA advice GOV.UK, 1 December 2020, accessed 1 November 2026.
- ↑ UK Government, Adrian Bird appointed new Chief of Defence Intelligence GOV.UK, 22 July 2022, accessed 1 November 2026.