List of ministers of defence of the Netherlands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Minister of Defence of the Netherlands
Flag for the minister of defence
Incumbent Ruben Brekelmans since 2 July 2024
Ministry of Defence
Style	His/Her Excellency
Member of	Council of Ministers
Appointer	The Monarch on advice of the Prime Minister
Precursor	Minister of War Minister of the Navy
Formation	1 September 1928 (historic) 7 August 1948 (current)
First holder	Johan Lambooij [nl] (historic) Kees Staf (current)
Final holder	Hendrik van Boeijen (historic)
Abolished	27 July 1941 (historic)
Deputy	Gijs Tuinman as State Secretary for Defence
Salary	€157,287 (As of 2017[update]) (including €4,193 of expenses)
Website	Minister of Defence

The Minister of Defence (which is Minister van Defensie in Dutch) is a very important person in the government of the Netherlands. This minister is in charge of the Ministry of Defence. This ministry makes sure that the country's armed forces are ready to protect the Netherlands and help with international peace missions. The Minister of Defence is also a member of the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers, which are groups of top government officials.

Right now, the Minister of Defence is Ruben Brekelmans from the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) party. He started this job on July 2, 2024. Sometimes, there is also a State Secretary for Defence. This person helps the minister with specific tasks. The current State Secretary is Gijs Tuinman from the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB), who also started on July 2, 2024.

Understanding the Minister's Role

The Minister of Defence has a big job. They are responsible for everything related to the country's military. This includes the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.

What the Minister Does

• Keeping the Country Safe: The main job is to protect the Netherlands from threats. This means making sure the military is strong and well-equipped.
• Managing the Military: The minister oversees all military operations. This includes training, equipment, and the well-being of soldiers.
• Working with Other Countries: The Netherlands often works with other countries on defence matters. The minister represents the Netherlands in groups like NATO, helping to keep peace around the world.
• Budget and Resources: They manage the money and resources for the Ministry of Defence. This ensures the military has what it needs.

A Brief Look at History

The role of the Minister of Defence has changed over time. Before 1948, there were separate ministers for the Army (called the Minister of War) and the Navy.

How the Role Developed

• Early Days: The first Minister of Defence was appointed on September 1, 1928. Before this, the Army and Navy had their own ministers.
• Coming Together: In 1948, the roles of Minister of War and Minister of the Navy were combined. This created the single Minister of Defence position we know today. This change made it easier to manage all parts of the military together.
• Modern Role: Since 1948, the minister's job has grown. They now handle all aspects of defence. This includes modern challenges like cybersecurity and international conflicts.

Ministers of Defence Since 1948

Many different people have served as Minister of Defence since 1948. These ministers have come from various political parties. They have worked under different prime ministers. Each minister has played a part in shaping the defence of the Netherlands.

Notable Ministers and Their Terms

• Kees Staf: He was the first Minister of Defence when the role was combined in 1948. He served for several years.
• Piet de Jong: He later became Prime Minister. He served as Minister of Defence from 1963 to 1967.
• Recent Ministers: In more recent times, ministers like Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (the first woman to hold the position) and Ank Bijleveld have led the ministry.

This table shows some of the people who have been Minister of Defence since 1948:

Minister of Defence			Term of office	Party	Prime Minister (Cabinet)
		Kees Staf (1905–1973)	15 March 1951 – 13 October 1956	Christian Historical Union	Willem Drees (Drees I • II)
		Kees Staf (1905–1973)	13 October 1956 – 19 May 1959	Christian Historical Union	Willem Drees (Drees III)
					Louis Beel (Beel II)
		Major general Sidney J. van den Bergh (1898–1977)	19 May 1959 – 1 August 1959	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Jan de Quay (De Quay)
		Dr. Jan de Quay (Prime Minister) (1901–1985)	1 August 1959 – 4 September 1959	Catholic People's Party
		Sim Visser (1908–1983)	4 September 1959 – 24 July 1963	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
		Captain Piet de Jong (1915–2016)	24 July 1963 – 5 April 1967	Catholic People's Party	Victor Marijnen (Marijnen)
					Jo Cals (Cals)
					Jelle Zijlstra (Zijlstra)
		Lieutenant general Willem den Toom (1911–1998)	5 April 1967 – 6 July 1971	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Piet de Jong (De Jong)
		Hans de Koster (1914–1992)	6 July 1971 – 11 May 1973	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Barend Biesheuvel (Biesheuvel I • II)
		Henk Vredeling (1924–2007)	11 May 1973 – 1 January 1977	Labour Party	Joop den Uyl (Den Uyl)
		Captain Bram Stemerdink (born 1936)	1 January 1977 – 19 December 1977	Labour Party
		Dr. Roelof Kruisinga (1922–2012)	19 December 1977 – 4 March 1978	Christian Historical Union	Dries van Agt (Van Agt I)
		Jan de Koning (1926–1994)	4 March 1978 – 8 March 1978	Anti-Revolutionary Party
		Willem Scholten (1927–2005)	8 March 1978 – 25 August 1980	Christian Historical Union
		Captain Pieter de Geus (1929–2004)	25 August 1980 – 11 September 1981	Christian Historical Union
				Christian Democratic Appeal
		Hans van Mierlo (1931–2010)	11 September 1981 – 4 November 1982	Democrats 66	Dries van Agt (Van Agt II • III)
		Dr. Job de Ruiter (1930–2015)	4 November 1982 – 14 July 1986	Christian Democratic Appeal	Ruud Lubbers (Lubbers I)
		Dr. Wim van Eekelen (born 1931)	14 July 1986 – 6 September 1988	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Ruud Lubbers (Lubbers II)
		Piet Bukman (1934–2022)	6 September 1988 – 24 September 1988	Christian Democratic Appeal
		Frits Bolkestein (born 1933)	24 September 1988 – 7 November 1989	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
		Relus ter Beek (1944–2008)	7 November 1989 – 6 February 1991	Labour Party	Ruud Lubbers (Lubbers III)
		Jan Pronk (born 1940)	6 February 1991 – 3 March 1991	Labour Party
		Relus ter Beek (1944–2008)	3 March 1991 – 22 August 1994	Labour Party
		Dr. Joris Voorhoeve (born 1945)	22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Wim Kok (Kok I)
		Frank de Grave (born 1955)	3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Wim Kok (Kok II)
		Benk Korthals (born 1944)	22 July 2002 – 12 December 2002	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende I)
		Henk Kamp (born 1952)	12 December 2002 – 22 February 2007	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
					Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende II • III)
		Eimert van Middelkoop (born 1949)	22 February 2007 – 14 October 2010	Christian Union	Jan Peter Balkenende (Balkenende IV)
		Hans Hillen (born 1947)	14 October 2010 – 5 November 2012	Christian Democratic Appeal	Mark Rutte (Rutte I)
		Commander Jeanine Hennis- Plasschaert (born 1973)	5 November 2012 – 4 October 2017	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Mark Rutte (Rutte II)
		Dr. Klaas Dijkhoff (born 1981)	4 October 2017 – 26 October 2017	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
		Ank Bijleveld (born 1962)	26 October 2017 – 17 September 2021	Christian Democratic Appeal	Mark Rutte (Rutte III)
		Dr. Ferdinand Grapperhaus (born 1959)	17 September 2021 – 24 September 2021	Christian Democratic Appeal
		Henk Kamp (born 1952)	24 September 2021 – 10 January 2022	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
		Jonkvrouw Kajsa Ollongren (born 1967)	10 January 2022 – 2 July 2024	Democrats 66	Mark Rutte (Rutte IV)
		Ruben Brekelmans (born 1986)	2 July 2024 – Incumbent	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	Dick Schoof (Schoof)

See also

• Ministry of Defence
• Chief of Defence