Defence

Intelligence and Security

Eyes in the sky

Andy Anderson examines the expanding role of imagery and geospacial capability in Australia.

This image of Honiara, Solomon Islands, is produced from commercial satellite imagery, sourced from Digital Globe, draped over a terrain model that provides details of the relief. The image has been tilted to provide a perspective view of the city and highlights the ruggedness of the surrounding terrain. Defence is participating in an Australian Government program to assist the Solomon Islands to update their geospatial data. Image provided by DIGO

The recent official opening of the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation's (DIGO) new headquarters, at Russell Offices in R4, marks the latest development in a strategy of long-term growth for the intelligence agency.

The organisation's growth reflects the expanding role for imagery and geospatial capability in the Australian intelligence community. As part of this expansion program, DIGO has begun recruiting and training additional staff to maximise the benefits of capital investment and to meet the increasing demands of Defence.

DIGO was created in November 2000 as a result of the merger of several agencies. Since then, it has focused on strengthening its capabilities while meeting the needs of its broad customer base during a period of heightened ADF operational activity.

The agency's role is to collect and produce imagery-derived intelligence and geospatial information to support Australia's defence and other national interests.

"These functions have become increasingly important on the modern battlefield and in Australia's complex security environment," DIGO Director Ian McKenzie says.

"DIGO is an active and pivotal part of the Australian intelligence community, but also an agency that continues to evolve its capability. We continue to expand awareness of what DIGO can deliver."

The 2004 Flood Report into Australia's intelligence agencies wrote: "While there exists broadly a basic level of knowledge of what DIGO can do, detailed understanding is less evident across the board".

This finding affirmed DIGO's earlier decision to create a customer engagement team and develop comprehensive outreach strategies. One of the agency's important moves has been to educate the ADF and other users in Defence who would benefit from a better understanding of DIGO's capabilities.

"We're finding this is starting to pay dividends," Mr McKenzie says.

From a Defence and national perspective, DIGO's unique contributions are considered critical to Australia's ability to:

• Understand global activity relevant to our national security.
• Visualise the physical environment in defence of our national interests.
• Formulate and execute national and military strategy.
• Effectively utilise modern military command support environments, platforms and weapons systems.

Typically, DIGO intelligence analysts interpret and analyse digital imagery collected by a range of sensors and platforms including satellites. The results can range from identification of potential terrorist bases, to guiding relief efforts in response to a natural disaster.

DIGO geospatial experts gather information about natural and man-made features on the ground. Geospatial analysts can derive information including maps, charts and digital topographic information to support a range of military tasks, such as battlefield analysis, employment of weapons systems and troop movements. Increasingly these areas of expertise are being used together to produce complex products that meet customer needs.

The DIGO facility at Russell is one of the agency's two key sites. The other is the Geospatial Analysis Centre located in Bendigo Victoria, which produces geospatial data in support of the planning and conduct of ADF operational and training activities.

In May 2004, the Government approved the construction of a purpose-built facility for the Geospatial Analysis Centre in Bendigo, which is expected to be completed in 2007.

Andy Anderson is Strategic Communications Adviser to Deputy Secretary Intelligence and Security.

For further information, contact the DIGO Tasking and Requirements Cell
(02) 6217 7146

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