The Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) provides a shared foundation for defining and exchanging defense geospatial data, helping organizations work together more efficiently.
DGIF is built on three components:
- Defence Geospatial Information Model (DGIM): defines the logical model
- Defence Geospatial Feature Concept Dictionary (DGFCD): standardizes feature and attribute definitions
- Defence Geospatial Real World Object Index (DGRWI): links real-world terms to the model
Together, these answer the questions: “What do we mean?” and “How do we represent it?”
In practice, DGIF ensures that maps and geospatial databases from different defense programs and nations “speak the same language.” By standardizing feature names, attributes, and formats, it removes mismatches and gives users confidence that their data is already aligned and interoperable.
Because of this solid foundation, numerous defence programs have adopted DGIF for the production and validation of geospatial vector data. These include the Multinational Geospatial Co-Production Program (MGCP) and the International Program for Human Geography (IPHG). DGIF has also been integrated by NATO and Federated Mission Networking (FMN) through standards such as STANAG 2592 (NGIF), STANAG 5524 (NISP), MC 296 (Geospatial Policy), and FMN Service Instructions.
Procurement, system development, and configuration management across domains such as Command and Control (C2), Intelligence and ISR, Navigation, Mission Planning, Simulation, Logistics, and Transmissions all benefit from alignment with the latest DGIF baseline or its relevant profiles. This alignment is increasingly important as demand for higher-resolution geospatial vector data continues to grow.
As DGIF continues to evolve, nations are encouraged to shape its future by submitting proposals through their Authoritative National Representatives (ANRs) within the DGIWG.
Table of Contents
Deprecated DGIF 2 and NGIF 2 downloads may be found on Page 2 of this webpage.
DGIF 3 Overview
DGIWG specification 200 dives deeper into the crucial role DGIF plays in enhancing capability development and ensuring geospatial interoperability across military systems and networks. It also addresses the accessibility and exchange of DGIF derived vector data.
| DGIWG # | Document Title (Click to Download) | Edition | Edition Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200-3 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Overview | 3.0 | 2024-07-19 |
DGIF Model Downloads
For a comprehensive understanding of the current DGIF baseline, users can download reference models. These models detail the latest standards and configurations of the framework, supporting alignment with DGIF practices.
Reference models are linked to a change proposal process that runs three times per year. Each approved cycle results in a new baseline, which packages updated DGIM, DGFCD, and DGRWI content and is identified by year and cycle (e.g., 2024-1).
Baselines form the foundation for DGIF profiles, mappings, and Data Product Specifications. They remain valid within a major DGIF version until the next full release.
The DGIF 3 major release began with baseline 2024-1.
Excel Workbook and Enterprise Architect Models
| DGIWG # | Document Title (Click to Download) | Edition | Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200-3-BL2025-1 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Normative content – 2025-1: Content Workbook View (In Progress) | 3.0 | 2025-1 |
| 200-3-BL2025-1 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Normative content – 2025-1: QEA Offline Model | 3.0 | 2025-1 |
Previous DGIF 3 Baselines
Excel Workbook and Enterprise Architect Models
| DGIWG # | Document Title (Click to Download) | Edition | Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200-3-BL2024-2 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Normative content – 2024-2: Content Workbook View (In Progress) | 3.0 | 2024-2 |
| 200-3-BL2024-2 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Normative content – 2024-2: QEA Offline Model | 3.0 | 2024-1 |
| 200-3-BL2024-1 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Normative content – 2024-1: Content Workbook View | 3.0 | 2024-1 |
| 200-3-BL2024-1 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Normative content – 2024-1: QEA Offline Model | 3.0 | 2024-1 |
DGIM, DGFCD, and DGRWI
The DGIWG specifications 205, 206, and 207 define the core modelling principles and the “metamodel” that form the foundation of DGIF. The latest edition of DGIF comprises the following components:
Defence Geospatial Information Model (DGIM)
• Defines the purpose, structure, and characteristics of DGIM data
• Explains the role of DGIM within the DGIF
Defence Geospatial Feature Concept Dictionary (DGFCD)
• Provides the definitions for the geospatial phenomena in the DGIM
• Details the structure used to catalog geospatial phenomena in the DGFCD
Defence Geospatial Real World Object Index (DGRWI)
• Serves as an accessible entry point for users, offering traceability from commonly known Real World Phenomena to their representations in the DGIM
• Outlines the structure for recording Real World Objects in the DGRWI
| DGIWG # | Document Title (Click to Download) | Edition | Edition Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 205-3 | Defence Geospatial Information Model (DGIM) | 3.0 | 2024-07-19 |
| 206-3 | Defence Geospatial Feature Concept Dictionary (DGFCD) Description and Content | 3.0 | 2024-07-19 |
| 207-3 | Defence Geospatial Real World Object Index (DGRWI) | 3.0 | 2024-07-19 |
Supplemental Resources
The DGIWG maintains mapping tables that capture the semantic relationships across DGIF versions and between its vocabulary and other domain data models. These tables are designed to maximize interoperability with external datasets.
*DGIF 3 mapping tables are currently under review and will be overtaken by events shortly. The DGIF 2 tables below are not compliant with DGIF 3.
| DGIWG # | Document Title (Click to Download) | Edition | Edition Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200-2-SD1 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Overview – SD1: NGIF v1.0 to DGIF v2.0 | 2.0 | 2017-11-03 |
| 200-2-SD2 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Overview – SD2: DFDD 2013-1 to DGIF v2.0 | 2.0 | 2017-11-03 |
| 200-2-SD3 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Overview – SD3: MGCP TRD 4.x to DGIF v2.0 | 2.0 | 2017-11-03 |
| 200-2-SD4 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Overview – SD4: OSM to DGIF v2.0 | 2.0 | 2019-08-13 |
| 200-2-SD5 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework (DGIF) – Overview – SD5: Mapping Table DVOF to DGIF v2.0 | 2.0 | 2019-10-16 |
External Datasets and Mapping Tables
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EGM and ERM datasets are provided by the EuroGeographics organization and can be accessed at https://eurogeographics.org/.
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OSM datasets and more information on OpenStreetMap (OSM) data can be found at https://www.openstreetmap.org.
Mapping tables that define the relationships between national vector databases and DGIF are available upon request from national mapping agencies.
Order of Precedence for Digital Geospatial Foundation Datasets
DGIF defines the common standards that support the exchange and use of geospatial foundation datasets (including global coverage maps, digital vector products, and web services). In operational contexts, these datasets are usually prioritized according to an established order of precedence agreed among NATO and national mapping agencies. This order is not part of the DGIF specification itself but provides context for how DGIF-compliant data is applied in production and maintenance:
- National vector datasets
- Vector datasets from military co-production programs (MGCP, IPHG, NACPP)
- Other available datasets, which may require conversion to meet DGIF and military geospatial standards
Defence Geospatial Encoding Specification
Geography Markup Language
The Defence Geospatial Information Framework Encoding Specification, based upon ISO 19136 – Geography Markup Language (GML), ISO 19107 – Spatial schema, and specific DGIWG conventions, provides guidance and rules on how to derive GML application schemas from the DGIM.
| DGIWG # | Document Title (Click to Download) | Edition | Edition Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 208-3 | Defence Geospatial Information Framework Encoding Specification – Part 1: GML | 3.0 | 2024-07-25 |
GeoPackage
The DGIWG GeoPackage Profile is derived from OGC 12-128r18, the OGC GeoPackage Encoding Standard, Version 1.4. This profile defines specific defense requirements, recommendations, and guidelines to ensure interoperability between producers and consumers of geospatial content in the GeoPackage file format for DGIWG member countries.
Currently, DGIWG is developing an additional geospatial encoding specification based on the OGC GeoPackage specification.
It is important to note that while the DGIWG GeoPackage Profile supports the exchange of DGIF vector data, it is not considered a component of DGIF itself.
| DGIWG # | Document Title (Click to Download) | Edition | Edition Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 126 | DGIWG GeoPackage Profile 1.4 Ed.1.1 | 1.1 | 2025-05-02 |
Redactional improvements and changes from DGIF 2 to DGIF 3
The transition from DGIF 2 to DGIF 3 is marked by a change in baseline numbering and file naming conventions. Baselines from 2016-2 through 2023-3 correspond to DGIF 2, while baselines from 2024-1 onward correspond to DGIF 3.
The published baseline filename protocol has been updated so that baseline 2024-1 is titled “DGIF_2024_1_Workbook.xlsx” rather than “DGIM_2024_1_Workbook.xlsx.” In addition, starting with DGIF 3.0, the *.eapx file is no longer included in the release package.
See Page 2 for deprecated DGIF 2 and NGIF 2 downloads.
Last page update: 20-AUG-2025
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