List of German defence ministers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Federal Minister of Defence
State flag
Coat of arms
Incumbent Boris Pistorius since 19 January 2023
Federal Ministry of Defence
Reports to	The Federal Chancellor
Appointer	The President, upon advice of the Federal Chancellor
Formation	13 February 1919
First holder	Gustav Noske (Weimar Republic) Theodor Blank (Federal Republic of Germany)
Website	bmvg.de

The Federal Minister of Defence (in German, Bundesminister der Verteidigung) is a very important person in the German government. They are in charge of the Federal Ministry of Defence. This ministry is like a big department that manages Germany's armed forces. The Minister is also a member of the Federal Cabinet, which is the main group of ministers who help the Chancellor run the country.

One of the most interesting things about this role is that the Federal Minister of Defence is the commander-in-chief of the German armed forces, called the Bundeswehr, during peacetime. This means they are the top boss for all military operations when there is no war. However, if Germany ever declares a "state of defence" (meaning the country is in a war or under attack), the Federal Chancellor takes over as the commander-in-chief. The highest-ranking military officer in the Bundeswehr, who works closely with the Minister, is called the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr.

Currently, the Federal Minister of Defence is Boris Pistorius. He started this job on January 19, 2023.

What Does the Minister of Defence Do?

The main job of the Federal Minister of Defence is to lead and manage the Bundeswehr. This includes making sure the soldiers, sailors, and air force personnel have what they need. It also involves planning for the country's safety and working with other countries on defence matters. They are responsible for the well-being of the troops and the overall readiness of Germany's military.

A Look Back: Defence Ministers Through History

The role of a defence minister has changed over time in Germany. Let's look at some of the people who held this important position.

Early Ministers of Defence (1919–1935)

After World War I, Germany created the role of Minister of Defence. These early ministers helped shape the country's military during a challenging time.

No.	Portrait	Minister of Defence	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party	Cabinet
1		Noske, GustavGustav Noske (1868–1946)	13 February 1919	22 March 1920	1 year, 38 days	SPD	Scheidemann Bauer
2		Gessler, OttoOtto Gessler (1875–1955)	27 March 1920	19 January 1928	7 years, 298 days	DDP	Müller I Fehrenbach Wirth I−II Cuno Stresemann I−II Marx I−II Luther I−II Marx III−IV
3		Groener, WilhelmWilhelm Groener (1867–1939)	19 January 1928	30 May 1932	4 years, 132 days	Independent	Marx IV Müller II Brüning I−II
4		Schleicher, KurtKurt von Schleicher (1882–1934)	1 June 1932	28 January 1933	243 days	Independent	Papen Schleicher
5		Blomberg, WernerWerner von Blomberg (1878–1946)	28 January 1933	21 May 1935	2 years, 113 days	Independent	Schleicher Hitler

Ministers of Defence Since 1955

After World War II, West Germany (which later became part of today's unified Germany) re-established its armed forces and the role of the Federal Minister of Defence in 1955. These ministers have been crucial in building and maintaining the modern Bundeswehr as a defensive force within NATO.

No.	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Party	Cabinet
1		Blank, TheodorTheodor Blank (1905–1972)	7 June 1955	16 October 1956	1 year, 131 days	CDU	Adenauer II
2		Strauß, FranzFranz Josef Strauß (1915–1988)	16 October 1956	9 January 1963	6 years, 85 days	CSU	Adenauer II–V
3		Hassel, Kai-UweKai-Uwe von Hassel (1913–1997)	9 January 1963	1 December 1966	3 years, 326 days	CDU	Erhard I–II
4		Schröder, GerhardGerhard Schröder (1910–1989)	1 December 1966	21 October 1969	2 years, 324 days	CDU	Kiesinger I
5		Schmidt, HelmutHelmut Schmidt (1918–2015)	22 October 1969	7 July 1972	2 years, 259 days	SPD	Brandt I
6		Leber, GeorgGeorg Leber (1920–2012)	7 July 1972	16 February 1978	5 years, 224 days	SPD	Brandt I–II Schmidt I–II
7		Apel, HansHans Apel (1932–2011)	17 February 1978	1 October 1982	4 years, 226 days	SPD	Schmidt II–III
8		Wörner, ManfredManfred Wörner (1934–1994)	4 October 1982	18 May 1988	5 years, 227 days	CDU	Kohl I–II–III
9		Scholz, RupertRupert Scholz (born 1937)	18 May 1988	21 April 1989	338 days	CDU	Kohl III
10		Stoltenberg, GerhardGerhard Stoltenberg (1928–2001)	21 April 1989	31 March 1992	2 years, 345 days	CDU	Kohl III–IV
11		Rühe, VolkerVolker Rühe (born 1942)	1 April 1992	26 October 1998	6 years, 188 days	CDU	Kohl IV–V
12		Scharping, RudolfRudolf Scharping (born 1947)	27 October 1998	19 July 2002	3 years, 265 days	SPD	Schröder I
13		Struck, PeterPeter Struck (1943–2012)	19 July 2002	22 November 2005	3 years, 126 days	SPD	Schröder II
14		Jung, FranzFranz Josef Jung (born 1949)	22 November 2005	28 October 2009	3 years, 340 days	CDU	Merkel I
15		Guttenberg, Karl-TheodorKarl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (born 1971)	28 October 2009	3 March 2011	1 year, 126 days	CSU	Merkel II
16		Maizière, ThomasThomas de Maizière (born 1954)	3 March 2011	17 December 2013	2 years, 289 days	CDU	Merkel II
17		Leyen, UrsulaUrsula von der Leyen (born 1958)	17 December 2013	17 July 2019	5 years, 212 days	CDU	Merkel III–IV
18		Kramp, AnnegretAnnegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (born 1962)	17 July 2019	8 December 2021	2 years, 144 days	CDU	Merkel IV
19		Lambrecht, ChristineChristine Lambrecht (born 1965)	8 December 2021	19 January 2023	1 year, 42 days	SPD	Scholz
20		Pistorius, BorisBoris Pistorius (born 1960)	19 January 2023	Incumbent	2 years, 155 days	SPD	Scholz