The Ministry of Defence has formally launched a new Military Intelligence Services organisation, bringing together intelligence units from across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force into a single structure, as part of reforms set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the department stated.
The new Military Intelligence Services, or MIS, consolidates defence intelligence functions under one organisation for the first time, with the aim of speeding up how information is collected, analysed and shared across the Armed Forces. According to the Ministry of Defence, the change is intended to improve the UK’s ability to anticipate and respond to a growing range of threats, including cyber activity, interference with satellites, disruption to shipping lanes and disinformation campaigns.
Alongside MIS, the MOD has also stood up a new Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit, or DCIU, which will bring together counter-intelligence specialists from across defence. The department said hostile intelligence activity directed at the MOD has increased by more than 50% over the past year, prompting a need for a more integrated response.
The new organisations were launched at the Wyton intelligence site in Cambridgeshire, which houses a large intelligence fusion centre handling classified material shared among Five Eyes partners. The Military Intelligence Services will operate under Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, led by the Chief of Defence Intelligence, and will integrate intelligence from land, sea, air, space and cyberspace, according to the department.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the changes were intended to improve how defence intelligence functions in a more contested environment. “As threats increase, we are making defence intelligence smarter,” he said, adding that the reforms would provide “cutting-edge technology, clearer structures and faster data flows” to give earlier warning of potential threats.
General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander of Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, described the creation of MIS and the DCIU as a significant step in strengthening the UK’s ability to anticipate hostile activity. “Intelligence sits at the heart of defence,” he said, noting that intelligence operations run continuously and underpin military activity across all domains.
According to the MOD, the Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit will focus on protecting sensitive defence capabilities, including the nuclear deterrent, advanced technology programmes and critical infrastructure, while working more closely with UK intelligence agencies and NATO partners.
The launch follows the publication of the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry, which highlighted how foreign intelligence services are increasingly targeting defence personnel, supply chains and industrial partners. The government has framed the reforms as part of a wider effort to modernise defence, alongside increased defence spending commitments announced earlier this year.
The endless sound of deckchairs being moved around.
In place of the DIP and some actual real money to invest 11 years after the investment should have started.
Quite right, instead of definite, funded action, announce a reorganisation, review, feasibility study or create a new strategy. Rinse and repeat.
Well in one sense it is a sensible move. In another I can see interservice rivalry becoming an issue. Who runs the head shed?
Not too long ago we had a problem over the Irish Sea, remember? Army Intel, MI5, RUC Special Branch, Det and a few others, all doing their own thing. So when you read this amazing “new” way first think of what a balls up anything to do with UK defence has become. And will remain until Ivan, the Iranians and Chicoms start playing hardball. Then you might see some serious action. Still, our erstwhile government will allow China a large “embassy” in London. Of course that is only so big because of “diplomatic” needs. And spying for China you get a get out of jail card as standard practice 🙂
Excellent. Nothing like a good reorganisation to create more jobs for the meetings that will “have ” to take place in order to decide which service is tasked with ordering the tea.