National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence
UK national centre for geospatial and open source intelligence, part of Defence Intelligence
National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI) is the United Kingdom’s national lead for Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) and the defence lead for Open-source intelligence (OSINT). It forms part of Defence Intelligence within Strategic Command of the Ministry of Defence.[1]
History
The NCGI was established on 1 December 2019 as a one-star commanded organisation, consolidating all Defence Intelligence specialist geospatial capabilities under a single command for the first time.[2]
It evolved from:
- The Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre (DIFC, formerly Defence Geospatial Intelligence Fusion Centre – DGIFC)
- The Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG), which was based at RAF Wyton from 2013
The Pathfinder Building at RAF Wyton opened in 2013 to house JFIG; after JFIG’s disbandment in 2016 the bulk of its capabilities were re-roled to form the NCGI.[3]
Location
The NCGI is centred at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire, with sub-units located around Greater London.[1]
Activities
NCGI is the national centre and authority for UK GEOINT delivery. It provides impactful geospatial intelligence and open-source intelligence to support:
- Understanding, planning, targeting and navigation for the UK Armed Forces on global operations
- Homeland security and civil contingencies
- Wider government partners
It played a key role in high-profile operations including tracing the Novichok trail during the Salisbury poisoning investigation.[3]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI), GOV.UK.
- ↑ The National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence, InstRE, 26 March 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 RAF Wyton, Royal Air Force.