(KUNA) -- A new centre to collate and distribute intelligence across NATO was launched Monday by Britains Minister for the Armed Forces Adam Ingram and General James Jones, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced. The Intelligence Fusion Centre, at the Royal Air Force base of Molesworth, in Cambridgeshire, southern England, will provide NATO missions, including current operations, with comprehensive intelligence support drawn from across the alliance, the MoD added. All NATO nations have been invited to contribute to the centre.Speaking at the launch, Ingram told reporters "On military operations, knowledge is power and while the intelligence resources of individual NATO members are impressive this shared asset is truly formidable." "This essential resource for NATO missions is already increasing the speed and efficiency of intelligence sharing between NATO allies and is delivering real benefits to the front line," the Minister said. "Today is another example of NATO transforming itself and rising to the demands of the modern world and exemplifies a new openness when it comes to sharing information between allies. I am delighted that Britain is home to this vital NATO asset and that we are playing our part in its formation," Ingram added.
The Intelligence Fusion Centre reaches initial operating capacity today with 75, of an eventual 160 or so, personnel from across NATO already in place at the centre, the MoD said.