Joint Forces Intelligence Group
British Ministry of Defence joint intelligence organisation (2012–2016)
| Joint Forces Intelligence Group | |
| Abbreviation | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Formation | |
| Predecessor | |
| Purpose | |
| Headquarters | RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire (from 2013) |
| Parent organization | |
The Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG) was a British Ministry of Defence (MoD) organisation established in 2012 to deliver geospatial, imagery, signals and other intelligence support to the UK Armed Forces and wider government.[1]
It succeeded the Intelligence Collection Group (ICG) and was placed under the newly formed Joint Forces Command.[1]
The Joint Forces Intelligence Group was disbanded in 2016 as part of ongoing Defence Intelligence restructuring, with its core functions absorbed into the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI) and other elements of Defence Intelligence.[2]
History
The Joint Forces Intelligence Group stood up on 1 April 2012 when the Intelligence Collection Group was redesignated under the new Joint Forces Command following the Levene reforms.[1]
In 2013 its headquarters and key elements relocated from Feltham to the Pathfinder Building at RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire, as part of the PRIDE (Wyton) Programme.[3]
The Joint Forces Intelligence Group was disbanded in 2016 with its capabilities integrated into broader Defence Intelligence structures.[2]
Functions
The Joint Forces Intelligence Group’s mission was to deliver intelligence, information, services and force elements to defence (including deployed forces), other government departments and international partners in order to support strategic to tactical level decision-making.[1]
It provided geospatial foundation data, imagery exploitation, signals intelligence and human geography support.[4]
Subunits
The Joint Forces Intelligence Group comprised the following core components:[1]
- Defence Geographic Centre (DGC) – 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 / Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre (DIFC) – analysis of aerial and satellite reconnaissance imagery (later rebranded).
Commanders
The Joint Forces Intelligence Group was commanded by a one-star officer (typically a Brigadier).
```wiki
| Name | Rank | Dates of service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Davies | Brigadier | 2012 – c. 2016 | Delivered remarks on the PRIDE (Wyton) Programme relocation in 2014.[5] |
| Rob Magowan | Brigadier | c. 2014–2016 | Later Commandant General Royal Marines.[6] |
| Ben Kyte | Brigadier | from May 2016 | Commander during 2018 Defence Secretary visit to Pathfinder Building.[7] |
Timeline of title and structural changes
wiki{| class="wikitable" |+ Timeline of the Joint Forces Intelligence Group ! Date !! Event !! Details |- | 1 April 2012 || Formation || Stood up under Joint Forces Command succeeding the Intelligence Collection Group.[1] |- | 2013 || Relocation || Headquarters and elements move to RAF Wyton (Pathfinder Building).[3] |- | 2016 || Disbandment || Group disbanded; capabilities absorbed into National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence and Defence Intelligence.[2] |}
Successors
The Joint Forces Intelligence Group was succeeded in 2016 by the National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI) within Defence Intelligence. Its components were later further consolidated into the Military Intelligence Services in 2025.[2]
See also
Defence Intelligence Intelligence Collection Group Defence Intelligence Fusion Centre Joint Forces Command
External links
Defence Intelligence: roles (GOV.UK)
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Ministry of Defence, Defence Intelligence: roles GOV.UK, 16 September 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 UK Defence Journal, Britain launches new Military Intelligence Services UK Defence Journal, 12 December 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ministry of Defence, New Defence Intelligence buildings handed over to MOD GOV.UK, 16 March 2012.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Joint Doctrine Note 4/13 Culture and Human Terrain GOV.UK, 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, General Sir Rob Magowan KCB CBE ADC RM GOV.UK, accessed 13 May 2026.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson visits Joint Forces Command GOV.UK, 2 March 2018.