Intelligence Collection Group
British Ministry of Defence geospatial, imagery and signals intelligence organisation (2006–2012)
| Intelligence Collection Group | |
| Abbreviation | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Formation | |
| Predecessor | |
| Purpose | |
| Headquarters | Feltham, Middlesex |
| Parent organization | |
The Intelligence Collection Group (ICG) was a British Ministry of Defence (MoD) organisation responsible for gathering and supplying geospatial, imagery, and signals intelligence for the UK Armed Forces.[1]
It consolidated specialised military intelligence-gathering units and operated on behalf of the Director General Intelligence Collection.[1]
The Intelligence Collection Group was established on 10 June 2006 when the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency (DGIA) lost its independent agency status and was renamed the Intelligence Collection Group.[1] It was renamed the Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG) on 1 April 2012 under the new Joint Forces Command.[1][2]
History
The Intelligence Collection Group originated from earlier defence mapping and imagery agencies. Its immediate predecessor was the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency (DGIA), formed on 1 April 2000 by the merger of JARIC (the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre) and Military Survey.[1]
On 10 June 2006 the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency (by then referred to as DGI after agency status removal) was renamed the Intelligence Collection Group (ICG).[1]
In April 2012, as part of Ministry of Defence structural reforms under the Levene review, the Intelligence Collection Group was placed under the newly formed Joint Forces Command and redesignated the Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG).[1][2]
Elements of the Intelligence Collection Group/Joint Forces Intelligence Group later relocated to RAF Wyton, with the Pathfinder Building handed over in early 2013 to support colocation.[2]
Subunits
The Intelligence Collection Group consolidated the following core components:[1]
- Defence Geographic Centre (DGC) – provided maps, geospatial data and geographical analysis.
- Joint Signals Support Organisation (JSSO) – strategic and tactical signals intelligence and communications support.
- Joint Aeronautical and Geographic Organisation (JAGO) – aeronautical data and mapping.
- JARIC (Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre / National Imagery Exploitation Centre) – analysis of aerial and satellite reconnaissance imagery.
Commanders
The Intelligence Collection Group (and its successor the Joint Forces Intelligence Group) was commanded by a one-star officer (OF-6, typically a Brigadier).[3][4]
Known commanders include:
| Name | Position | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brigadier Nick Davies | Commander Joint Forces Intelligence Group | 2014 | Delivered remarks on the PRIDE (Wyton) Programme relocation.[5] |
| Brigadier Ben Kyte | Commander Joint Forces Intelligence Group | 2018 | Met Defence Secretary during visit to Pathfinder Building.[6] |
Limited public information is available on commanders of the Intelligence Collection Group (2006–2012) or subunit heads during that period. For the Defence Geographic Centre, Ian Spencer has served as Director since 2015 (post-JFIG era).[7]
Bases
- Headquarters and Defence Geographic Centre: Feltham, Middlesex
- Joint Signals Support Organisation: RAF Digby, Lincolnshire
- Joint Aeronautical and Geographic Organisation: Denison Barracks, Hermitage and RAF Northolt
- JARIC: RAF Brampton (later elements moved to RAF Wyton)
Timeline of title and structural changes
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April 2000 | Formation of predecessor | Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency (DGIA) created by merger of JARIC and Military Survey.[1] |
| 10 June 2006 | Establishment of ICG | Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency/DGI renamed Intelligence Collection Group (ICG).[1] |
| 1 April 2012 | Rebranding to JFIG | Intelligence Collection Group redesignated Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG) under Joint Forces Command.[1][2] |
| 2012–2013 | Relocation | Key elements move to RAF Wyton (Pathfinder Building).[2] |
Successors
The Intelligence Collection Group was succeeded by the Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG) in 2012.[1] Joint Forces Intelligence Group later formed the basis of the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI) within Defence Intelligence.
See also
Defence Intelligence Joint Forces Intelligence Group Defence Geographic Centre JARIC
External links
Defence Intelligence: roles (GOV.UK)
Notes
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence: roles GOV.UK, 16 September 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ministry of Defence, New Defence Intelligence buildings handed over to MOD GOV.UK, 16 March 2012.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Senior staff data GOV.UK, 15 November 2010.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Joint Forces Command organogram data.gov.uk, 31 March 2013.
- ↑ Boot Camp Military Fitness Institute, What is the UK Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre? Boot Camp Military Fitness Institute, 9 January 2024.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson visits Joint Forces Command GOV.UK, 2 March 2018.
- ↑ Worldwide Business Research, Ian Spencer DGI 2027, accessed 13 May 2026.