An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July / August 2025 www.military.ie/magazine www.military www.military T he Report on the Commission of the Defence Forces of Feb 2022 articulated that "military intelligence has an important role in monitoring security threats to the State", and that this would be achieved by strengthening military intelligence capabilities through the establishment of a Joint Military Intelligence Service lead by a Brigadier General. Additionally, the establishment of a dedicated Military Intelligence School and accompanying legislation within a wider enhanced and modernised National Defence Academy is captured within Theme 17 of the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP). The primary role of IMIS today is to provide strategic warning to the General Staff and the Government of threats to Irish sovereign interests on island and to troops and or facilities deployed abroad, a role which has expanded significantly from the G2, J2 roles of old. The service also plays a role in ensuring National Security with other state agencies. It is a fully Joint service (and also includes RDF, first line reserve and civilians on staff ) and while filling the traditional Military Intelligence role it is also the State's External Service. This article will outline the impact of the Service and the Intelligence School at the tactical, operational and strategic levels, its contribution to protecting national security and the establishment of a professional pathway for military intelligence personnel within the IMIS. The attainment of initial operating capability (IOC) of the Defence Forces Intelligence School in June 25 marks a significant milestone in meeting the LOA 2 requirements for strengthening of the IMIS by 2028. The Intelligence School, now the Defence Forces newest school currently located in the DFTC, will underpin standards and training in the development of joint military intelligence capabilities for IMIS, across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps and in addition the delivery of specialised multi-disciplinary intelligence capabilities (such as Human Intelligence (HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). The School will also support and contribute to established DF education and Professional Military Education (PME) programs with the provision of subject matter expertise in intelligence planning modules on future career courses contributing to the decision making and joint planning process. The Intelligence School will ensure the Defence Forces remain aligned with international best practice and abreast of rapidly evolving technologies to identify and counter any potential hostile threats. Central to this has been a focussed effort in the development of a specialised professional military education stream in the area of Military Intelligence and also a comprehensive revision and development of the tactical intelligence training program in 2025. The Intelligence School has completed delivery of some of these courses already to selected personnel within Battalions, 6 | STRENGTHENING MILITARY INTELLIGENCE Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS): concept to capability

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