On 16th October 2024, a delegation of the Spanish Armed Forces Intelligence Centre (CIFAS), led by its director, Lieutenant General Antonio ROMERO LOSADA, and accompanied by the Deputy Chief ISR of the Romanian Military Intelligence Directorate, Colonel Romeo-Mihail TĂBÎRCĂ, conducted a visit to the NATO HUMINT Centre of Excellence (HCOE). The HCOE Dean of Academics, Colonel (TUR AF) Sefik TOPUZ welcomed the distinguished guests.
During the visit, Lieutenant General LOSADA received a briefing on HCOE’s role and mission, as well as on its contribution to the overall effort of ensuring interoperability and seamless collaboration between NATO member states. This effort is crucial for the mission readiness of NATO Response Force elements.
HCOE plays a critical role in transforming human intelligence through research and concept development, being a hub for innovation and integrating emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, into traditional HUMINT practices with the purpose to enhance the operational readiness of the Alliance.
Lieutenant General LOSADA’s visit underlines the role of human intelligence as part of its broader Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance framework. On this occasion it was reaffirmed the Centre`s pivotal role in supporting NATO`s strategic adaptation efforts, especially as the Alliance shifts towards readiness postures required for emerging security landscapes.