Since OSINT Is So Readily Available, Will It Ever Replace Covert Operations?

I don't think OSINT will ever replace covert operations. OSINT is extremely valuable, but covert operations cover an area that OSINT does not have access to. OSINT is by definition open source information, while covert operations are generally into denied areas or accessing information that is certainly not open source, whether troop movements, technicial specifications, or other classified information that of course by definition isn't open source information. Covert operations and OSINT collection are complementary methods and neither can completely replace the other as they cover two different area of the intelligence equation.

There are various intelligence disciplines and sources, and while there is certainly some overlap in many cases, they each play a vital role in the total spectrum of intelligence and no one discipline can be totally covered or made obsolete by another. To me this is particularly true in the comparison of covert operations versus OSINT collection as they are almost opposite sources.