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) is an integral part of Defence Intelligence and Strategic Command. It is centred at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire with units at Feltham, RAF Northolt and Ewell.

NCGI is the national lead for Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and defence lead for Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).

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
  • deployable geographic technicians
  • 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 It has a shared origin with the UK’s Ordnance Survey and, over time, has superseded organisations such as the Directorate of Military Survey, MI4, the Central Interpretation Unit, and the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (or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).

NCGI currently has seven main business units:

Headquarters NCGI - the headquarters provides the leadership and management of the GEOINT enterprise. The organisation is led by Air Commodore Mark Ridgway.

Defence Geographic Centre and No 1 Aeronautical Information and Documents Unit - produces authoritative, global geographic and aeronautical data and information, including maps and charts, which are critical to Defence’s ability to safely navigate and target. They work in partnership with the UK Hydrographic Office and the Met Office and have bilateral relationships with national mapping agencies and military and commercial organisations worldwide.​​​​​​​

NCGI-Analysis - exploits 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.

Headquarters Royal Engineers (Geographic) - assures, coheres, and optimises the pan-defence Royal Engineers Geographic capability, ensuring that it meets defence’s needs now and in the future.

42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) - the primary provider of deployable geographic support. Their 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. 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) includes 135 Geographic Squadron of the Army Reserves.

NCGI-Technology - maintains NCGI’s unique GEOINT technical, computing and communications capabilities and provides essential services that enable the organisation’s information ecosystem. Working with stakeholders across the acquisition and capability community, NCGI-Technology are focussed on driving business improvement through technological enablement, ensuring that NCGI becomes an increasingly data-driven organisation.​​​​​​​

The Defence Open Source Intelligence Centre - responsible for the oversight of all OSINT, and the specific delivery of expert-level OSINT, for defence.

RAF Wyton - responsible for enabling services and infrastructure requirements in support of all organisations that operate from the site.

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