National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI)

NCGI is the national lead for Geospatial Intelligence and defence lead for Open Source Intelligence.

The National Centre for Geospatial Intelligence (NCGI) forms part of Defence Intelligence within Strategic Command. It is centred at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire with sub-units based at locations around Greater London.

NCGI’s mission is to provide impactful geospatial intelligence and open source intelligence that enhances defence’s ability to understand and plan, target and navigate.

Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT)

Everything happens somewhere. GEOINT refers to the analysis and exploitation of geospatial information for intelligence purposes. It involves gathering, analysing and interpreting data from various sources such as satellite imagery, aerial photography, maps, charts and geographic information systems.

This enables analysts and decision-makers to understand and visualise the physical and cultural features of a location, the relationship between different elements within that space, and the implications of all these aspects together.

NCGI is the national centre and authority for UK GEOINT delivery. It is the primary provider to the Ministry of Defence and its partners of:

  • authoritative global geospatial data
  • GEOINT expertise, analysis and services
  • imagery intelligence, exploiting satellite and aerial reconnaissance imagery from a range of classified and commercial sources to deliver imagery intelligence and bespoke analytical GEOINT products to customers in defence, across UK Government, and to allies and partners
  • deployable geographic technicians, specially trained and nationally recognised soldiers and officers are experts at assisting decision-makers and deployed commanders to understand, plan, navigate and target. They manage, analyse, and visualise multiple forms of geospatial data, disseminating their products through digital portals and in hardcopy formats
  • military mapping
  • aeronautical charts and flight procedures
  • assured data to support aviation safety and enable safe maritime navigation (in partnership with the UK Hydrographic Office and Met Office)

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

OSINT is the collection and analysis of information from publicly available sources, such as social media, websites, news articles, and other publicly accessible data. NCGI is the defence lead for OSINT.

In delivering its mission NCGI works with partners throughout the UK and across the world.

History of NCGI

NCGI was formed in 2016, although its history can be traced back to at least the late eighteenth century. It has a shared origin with the UK’s Ordnance Survey and, over time, has superseded organisations such as the Directorate of Military Survey, MI4, the Central Interpretation Unit, and the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (or JARIC).

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