The title Defence Minister, Minister for Defence, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State for Defence, Secretary of National Defense or some similar variation, is assigned to the person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in some the minister is only in charge of general budget matters and procurement of equipment; while in others the minister is also, in addition, an integral part of the operational military chain of command.
Prior to the 20th century, there were in most countries separate ministerial posts for the land forces (often called "minister for war" etc.) and the naval forces. Since the end of World War II, the title has changed from war to defence, and has often involved putting a single defence minister in charge of all the armed forces. Another common reform which occurred at the end of World War II was to place the defence minister in a national security council, war cabinet, or a "Kitchen Cabinet", which allows the head of government or head of state to coordinate military, diplomatic and economic activities.
The Defence Ministry in some countries is a very important ministry, sometimes considered more important than the foreign ministry. If war is common for a country, the defence minister's position is often assumed by the head of government. (For example, five Prime Ministers of Israel have held the Defense (Security) Ministry during their Premiership). In many nations it is a strong convention that the defence minister be a civilian, in order to highlight civilian control over the military, though it's not uncommon for the defence minister to have some (or even extensive) military experience. In less democratic countries, the minister is often an active military official.
The People's Republic of China is very unusual in that the Ministry of National Defence (MND) is relatively powerless; it does not have command over the People's Liberation Army. Command of the military belongs in the party and in the state Central Military Commission; the MND exists primarily as a liaison and protocol office to communicate with foreign militaries. Essentially, the MND exists only because most other nations have defence ministries, and for protocol and liaison purposes, the PRC needs to have an institution corresponding with those of other governments. However, the Minister of National Defence (who is usually a senior, although not always the highest ranking, military officer) is always a CMC member and usually a Vice Chairman and State Councillor, is an authoritative position.
Albania: Ministry of Defence
Armenia: Defence Ministry
Australia: Minister for Defence
Austria: Ministry of National Defence and Sport
Azerbaijan: Ministry of Defense
Belgium: Ministry of Defence
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ministry of Defence
Brazil: Ministry of Defence
Bulgaria: Ministry of Defence
Cambodia: Ministry of National Defence
Canada: Minister of National Defence
Chile: Ministry of National Defense
China: Two governments use "China" in their name:
People's Republic of China: Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China
Republic of China: Ministry of National Defense
Colombia: Ministry of National Defense
Croatia: Ministry of Defence
Cyprus: Minister of Defence
Czech Republic: Ministry of Defence
Democratic Republic of Congo: Minister of Defence (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Denmark: Minister of Defence (list)
Egypt: Minister of Defence and Military Production (list)
Estonia: Minister of Defence
Finland: Minister of Defence
France: Minister of Defence
Germany: Federal Ministry of Defence (list)
Prussia: Minister of War (1808–1918)
Greece: Minister for National Defence
Hong Kong: Secretary for Defence, renamed Secretary for Security in 1973
Hungary: Minister of Defence
Indonesia: Ministry of Defence
India: Minister of Defence
Iran: Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics
Ireland: Minister for Defence
Israel: Ministry of Defense (in Hebrew: Sar Ha-Bitakhon)
Italy: Minister of Defence
Japan: Minister of Defense
Kuwait: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense
Lithuania: Ministry of National Defence
Macedonia: Minister of Defense
Malaysia: Ministry of Defence
Mexico: Secretariat of National Defense (Mexico)
Nepal: Ministry of Defence
Netherlands: Ministry of Defence
New Zealand: Minister of Defence
Norway: Minister of Defence
Pakistan: Defence Minister
People's Republic of China: Ministry of National Defense
Peru: Ministry of Defense
Philippines: Department of National Defense
Poland: Ministry of National Defence
Portugal: Ministry of National Defence
Republic of China: Ministry of National Defense
Romania: Ministry of National Defense
Russia: Ministry of Defence
Soviet Union: Minister of Defence
Russian Empire: List of heads of the military of Imperial Russia
Serbia: Minister of Defence
Singapore: Ministry for Defence
Somalia: Ministry of Defence
South Africa: Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
South Korea: Ministry of National Defense
Spain: Ministry of Defence
Sri Lanka: Ministry of Defence
Sweden: Minister for Defence
Switzerland: Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (with list)
Tajikistan: Ministry of Defence
Thailand: Ministry of Defence
Tonga: Minister of Defence
Turkey: Ministry of National Defence (Turkey)
United Kingdom: Secretary of State for Defence (with list)
United States: Secretary of Defense (with list)
Vietnam: Ministry of Defence
Libya: Supreme Defense Council
