The UK’s foreign intelligence service MI6 has been named Europe’s most powerful intelligence agency in an assessment involving 60 intelligence professionals from 25 countries. Experts highlighted the agency’s long history, international partnerships and ability to recruit high-level agents as key factors behind its ranking.
MI6 was named Europe’s most powerful intelligence organization in an assessment involving international intelligence experts. The survey, conducted by French magazine L’Express, gathered the views of 60 intelligence professionals from 25 countries.
MI6 ranked first, followed by France’s foreign intelligence service, the DGSE. The Netherlands’ General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service (FISU) and Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) also made the top five.
The survey particularly highlighted MI6’s success in recruiting high-level sources and its operational effectiveness in countries including Russia, China, Iran and Türkiye.
Sir Richard Dearlove, who headed MI6 between 1999 and 2004, said the agency stands out from its European counterparts because of its institutional continuity. He noted that MI6 has maintained an uninterrupted institutional archive dating back to 1909 and that intelligence is effectively integrated into the government’s decision-making process.
Former MI6 officer Matthew Dunn said personnel selection has played a major role in the agency’s success. According to Dunn, MI6 looks beyond academic achievement, seeking candidates with problem-solving skills, strong interpersonal abilities and what he described as a “natural aptitude for espionage.”
Dunn noted that recruitment, which was once conducted exclusively through invitation, is now open to online applications. However, he said the agency’s ideal candidate profile remains difficult to define precisely.
Former intelligence officers acknowledge that the James Bond character has contributed to MI6’s mysterious public image, but emphasize that real-world intelligence work is very different from its cinematic portrayal.
Philip Ingram, a former British Army intelligence officer, said most intelligence operations involve lengthy processes of information gathering, analysis and human intelligence work. “Among ourselves, we jokingly call the James Bond movies training films. I just wish we had the cars and lifestyle he has,” he said.
International partnerships give MI6 an edge
According to experts, one of MI6’s greatest advantages is its close cooperation with international partners. The agency’s coordination with intelligence services in numerous countries is seen as strengthening information sharing while also improving operational effectiveness.
Olivier Mas, a former French intelligence official, said he was not surprised to see MI6 at the top of the ranking. He argued that the British agency places greater emphasis on operational activities, while French intelligence services devote more resources to analysis and reporting for the government.
However, some former MI6 officers warned that although the agency has maintained its operational capabilities, Britain’s declining global political influence over the past two decades could become a long-term disadvantage when it comes to recruiting foreign agents.
Experts nevertheless say MI6 remains one of the world’s leading intelligence agencies, with its success largely rooted in its long-established institutional structure and extensive international partnerships.
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