Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) facts for kids
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![]() MoD Main Building, Westminster |
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Department overview | |
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Formed | 1 April 1964 (as modern department) |
Jurisdiction | Government of the United Kingdom |
Headquarters | Main Building, Whitehall, Westminster, London 51°30′14″N 0°07′30″W / 51.5040°N 0.1249°W |
Employees |
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Annual budget | £55 billion; FY 2021 |
Secretary of State responsible | |
Department executives |
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Child agencies |
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The Ministry of Defence (MOD or MoD) is a government department in the United Kingdom. Its main job is to make sure the UK is safe and to manage the British Armed Forces. This includes the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force.
The MOD works to protect the UK and its interests around the world. It also helps keep international peace and stability. The department handles the daily tasks of the armed forces, plans for emergencies, and buys new equipment.
Contents
How the MOD Started
In the 1920s and 1930s, people in the UK government realized that the different parts of the armed forces (Navy, Army, Air Force) needed to work together better. They wanted to create one main department to oversee everything.
In 1940, during World War II, Winston Churchill created the role of Minister of Defence. This person was in charge of coordinating all defence matters. After the war, in 1946, the Ministry of Defence Act was passed. This law made the Minister of Defence a very important role, with a seat in the Cabinet.
Before 1964, there were five separate government departments dealing with defence. These included the Admiralty (for the Navy), the War Office (for the Army), and the Air Ministry (for the Air Force). In 1964, these departments all joined together to form the modern Ministry of Defence. This was done to help the different services work as one team and avoid rivalries.
Important People in the MOD
The Ministry of Defence has a team of ministers and senior military leaders. They work together to make important decisions about the UK's defence.
Ministers in Charge
The ministers are politicians who lead different areas of the MOD. The most senior minister is the Secretary of State for Defence.
Minister | Portrait | Office | Portfolio |
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John Healey MP | ![]() |
Secretary of State for Defence | Leads the entire department; handles big plans and operations; works with important international partners like the US and NATO; oversees nuclear defence. |
Lord Coaker | ![]() |
Minister of State for Defence | Manages how the department is run; deals with UK's relationships with other countries (like Australia and Asia); oversees safety and security. |
Maria Eagle MP | ![]() |
Minister of State for Defence Procurement | In charge of buying new equipment for the armed forces; works with defence companies; oversees defence buildings and technology. |
Luke Pollard MP | ![]() |
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces | Focuses on getting new people to join the forces and making sure they are ready; supports Ukraine; helps with global operations and emergencies. |
Alistair Carns MP | ![]() |
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People | Looks after soldiers, sailors, and air force personnel, including their families and veterans; handles pensions and support groups. |
Top Military Leaders
The most important military leader is the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS). This person is the professional head of the British Armed Forces. They give military advice to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister.
The CDS works with other senior military leaders, including the heads of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. Together, they form the Chiefs of Staff Committee. This group gives advice on military operations and how to carry them out.
The current Chiefs of Staff are:
- Chief of the Defence Staff – Admiral Sir Tony Radakin
- Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff – General Sharon Nesmith
- First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (Head of the Royal Navy) – General Sir Gwyn Jenkins
- Chief of the General Staff (Head of the British Army) – General Sir Roland Walker
- Chief of the Air Staff (Head of the Royal Air Force) – Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton
- Commander Strategic Command (Head of Strategic Command) – General Sir James Hockenhull
How the MOD Works
The MOD has a clear plan for how the armed forces should operate. This plan includes four main goals:
- Protect the UK and its overseas territories.
- Provide the nuclear deterrent (a way to prevent attacks).
- Help understand the world better through intelligence and global defence networks.
- Strengthen international security and work with allies.
The armed forces also help during crises by:
- Providing help during natural disasters.
- Carrying out special operations.
- Working to bring back peace and stability.
- Being ready for major combat if needed.
MOD Departments and Agencies
The MOD is made up of several groups and agencies that help it do its work. These include:
- Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S): This agency buys and supports military equipment.
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl): This group does scientific research for defence.
- Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA): This agency is in charge of building and delivering submarines.
- UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO): This office creates maps and charts for the seas.
There are also several museums that are part of the MOD, such as the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the National Army Museum, and the Royal Air Force Museum.
MOD Buildings and Land

The Ministry of Defence owns a lot of land across the UK. This land is used for training areas, airfields, barracks (where soldiers live), and storage depots. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation helps manage these properties.
The Main Building
The main headquarters of the MOD is a large building in Whitehall, London. It's known as the MOD Main Building. This building was finished in 1959.
Inside the basement of the Main Building is Henry VIII's wine cellar. This old cellar was built in the 1500s. When the MOD building was constructed, the entire cellar was carefully moved to a new spot underground to protect it.
Images for kids
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MoD Main Building, Westminster
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A British armed forces careers office in Oxford
See also
In Spanish: Ministerio de Defensa (Reino Unido) para niños