ADF – intelligence

ADF – intelligence

Government sources

Outcome Six: Intelligence, Outcome Performance, Annual Report 2005-06, Department of Defence

Deputy Secretary Intelligence and Security, Mr Shane Carmody, is accountable for delivering Intelligence and Security Capability.
“The dedication and innovation of Intelligence and Security Group staff in 2005–06 resulted in consistently high levels of performance in the face of diverse and complex intelligence problems. Our achievements during this period reflect the effort we made to match the large number of ADF operational activities with quality support by our three intelligence agencies, the Defence Security Authority, and the Concepts Capability and Resources Branch.

“The three Defence intelligence agencies, the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, the Defence Intelligence Organisation and the Defence Signals Directorate, contribute in distinct ways to the collection and production of intelligence, its analysis and assessment. In 2005–06, the Intelligence and Security Group maintained its exemplary record by producing quality intelligence for the defence of Australia and its interests, specialised services to help the planning and conduct of ADF operations, and contributing to Defence policy making and planning, strategic analysis, capability development, and wider Government decision making.

“In 2005–06, the Intelligence and Security Group provided intelligence support to key operations including in Afghanistan, Iraq and Timor-Leste. Intelligence products and services were tailored to meet specific customer needs and operated on a 24-hour basis when necessary, to provide real and near-time assistance. The Group also contributed substantially to the Force-in-Being and Future Force planning, as well as enhancing its management of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability.”

“The Defence Intelligence Organisation benefited from the deployment of its civilian and military liaison officers to various operational theatres during 2005–06. Liaison officers were sent to South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East where they enhanced the delivery of timely and accurate intelligence assessments to customers and acted as a conduit between ADF deployed forces and the Defence Intelligence Organisation.”

“Performance Targets:
Provide quality intelligence products and services.   
Achieved. The Intelligence and Security Group adjusted resource allocations in response to changes in Australia’s security environment, and continued to provide high-level support to satisfy the bulk of high priority intelligence requirements. There was a particular focus on the challenges presented by support to military operations and regional terrorist organisations. Work on military and policing operational support has provided significant force protection, and work on regional terrorist groups has led to some success in reducing the threat they pose to Australian and allied interests. The Defence Intelligence Organisation increased its product and intelligence output as a result of both the high tempo of ADF operations and an increase in its customer base across the Government. The Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation and Defence Signals Directorate continued to provide relevant and timely geospatial and signals intelligence in support of Defence operations and priorities. The Defence Signals Directorate also maintained its important role in protecting official Australian communications and information systems, providing information security advice and services, in particular to the Australian National Audit Office by contributing to audit report No. 45, Internet Security in Australian Government Agencies.

“Ensure effective and sustainable intelligence support for the planning and conduct of ADF operations and for decision makers.   
Achieved. The Group provided high-level support to the planning and conduct of ADF operations during the year in South Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. The Defence intelligence agencies continue to build their capacity to respond to the high operational tempo of military operations. The Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation provided deployed and Canberra-based geospatial intelligence for theatres of operation around the world. The Defence Intelligence Organisation provided 24-hour support to all ADF operations and decision-makers as needed.

“Maintain and develop first rate defence intelligence and geospatial information capabilities.
Achieved. The Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding allowing Australia to remap Papua New Guinea. Through a number of new technical projects, the Defence Intelligence Organisation extended its reach into a variety of intelligence systems to further support the intelligence services and analytical functions of the organisation. These capabilities are expected to be refined throughout 2006–07. The Defence Signals Directorate deployed new capabilities developed under a number of Defence major capital equipment projects, further increasing its ability to meet high priority intelligence requirements. These projects will deliver further capability enhancements in the future.”

Knowledge System Equipment Acquisition Projects in Defence, Audit Report No.11 2000–2001 Department of Defence, Australian National Audit Office, 2000

3.20 Military intelligence capability is centred on Defence Sub-output 5.1 (Strategic Intelligence), which contains the three central intelligence organisations: DSD, DIO and AIO [Australian Imagery Organisation; later DIGO]. The intelligence function is integrated into the command system mainly through the JISS and the Australian Theatre Joint Intelligence Centre (ASTJIC) in Sydney, Headquarters Northern Command (HQNORCOM) in Darwin and the ADF Intelligence Coordination Centre (ADFICC) in Canberra.

Analysis

See also

4 August 2007