The Naval Intelligence Agency (NIA), alternatively referred to as Naval Intelligence (NavInt) or Military Intelligence, functioned as an intelligence service branch under the Imperial Navy within the military. The Galactic Empire established this agency, positioning its headquarters within the Federal District located on the Empire's capital planet, Coruscant, a Core World, throughout the Imperial Era.
During the Imperial Era, the Naval Intelligence Agency was created to be distinct from Military Intelligence, though they were often linked and the NIA was called Military Intelligence. The Naval Intelligence headquarters was situated in the Federal District of Coruscant, a Core World that served as the capital planet for the Galactic Empire, in proximity to both the Imperial Palace and the COMPNOR arcology. Vice Admiral Dodd Rancit was in charge, assisted by Vice Admiral Terrinald Screed. It collaborated closely with the Imperial Security Bureau and conducted its own investigations and interrogations when necessary. They frequently represented Military Intelligence during briefings, offering intelligence and analysis from a military standpoint.
In 14 BBY, following the conclusion of a rebel campaign, Vice Admiral Rancit was exposed as a traitor and subsequently executed by Darth Vader. Consequently, the Naval Intelligence Agency was reintegrated into Military Intelligence, and Colonel Wullf Yularen from the Imperial Security Bureau was appointed as its head of operations, holding the title of Deputy Director. Yularen held a high position within the NIA until his death on the Death Star battle station during the Battle of Yavin.
After overseeing the construction of the Jakku Observatory, Emperor Palpatine assigned Gallius Rax, his protégé, to serve as a commander within the Naval Intelligence Agency. Many considered his ranking to be unusually elevated, given his limited history with the Imperial Military. Rax reported only to the NIA's Deputy Director Yularen, with his confidential reports bypassing both Vice Admirals Rancit and Screed. Following Yularen's death at Yavin, Rax's reports were directly submitted to the Emperor himself. Following the Battle of Endor, Rax was promoted to Fleet Admiral and charged with implementing the late Emperor's posthumous Contingency plan.