# List of ministers of defence of the Netherlands

The minister of defence (Dutch: Minister van Defensie) is the head of the Ministry of Defence and a member of the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers. The incumbent minister is Ruben Brekelmans of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) party who has been in office since 2 July 2024. Regularly, a state secretary is assigned to the ministry who is tasked with specific portfolios. The current state secretary is Gijs Tuinman of the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB) who also has been in office since 2 July 2024.

## List of ministers
### Ministers of Defence (1928–1941)

| Name | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Major Johan Lambooij (1874–1942) | 1 September 1928 – 10 August 1929 | Roman Catholic State Party | De Geer I |
| Dr. Laurent Deckers (1883–1978) | 10 August 1929 – 2 September 1935 | Roman Catholic State Party | De Beerenbrouck III |
| Dr. Laurent Deckers (1883–1978) | 10 August 1929 – 2 September 1935 | Roman Catholic State Party | Colijn II |
| Dr. Laurent Deckers (1883–1978) | 10 August 1929 – 2 September 1935 | Roman Catholic State Party | Colijn III |
| Major Dr. Hendrikus Colijn (1869–1944) | 2 September 1935 – 24 June 1937 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Colijn III |
| Captain Dr. Jannes van Dijk (1871–1954) | 24 June 1937 – 10 August 1939 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Colijn IV • V |
| Major general Adriaan Dijxhoorn (1889–1953) | 10 August 1939 – 12 June 1941 | Independent | De Geer II |
| Major general Adriaan Dijxhoorn (1889–1953) | 10 August 1939 – 12 June 1941 | Independent | Gerbrandy I |
| Hendrik van Boeijen (1889–1947) | 12 June 1941 – 27 July 1941 Ad interim | Christian Historical Union | Gerbrandy I |

### Ministers of War and the Navy (1948–1956)

| Name | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Captain Wim Schokking (1900–1960) | 7 August 1948 – 16 October 1950 | Christian Historical Union | Drees– Van Schaik |
| Hans s'Jacob (1906–1967) | 16 October 1950 – 15 March 1951 | Independent | Drees– Van Schaik |
| Kees Staf (1905–1973) | 15 March 1951 – 13 October 1956 | Christian Historical Union | Drees I • II |

### Ministers of Defence (since 1956)

| Name | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Kees Staf (1905–1973) | 13 October 1956 – 19 May 1959 | Christian Historical Union | Drees III |
| Kees Staf (1905–1973) | 13 October 1956 – 19 May 1959 | Christian Historical Union | Beel II |
| Major general Sidney J. van den Bergh (1898–1977) | 19 May 1959 – 1 August 1959 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | De Quay |
| Dr. Jan de Quay (1901–1985) | 1 August 1959 – 4 September 1959 Acting | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| Sim Visser (1908–1983) | 4 September 1959 – 24 July 1963 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | De Quay |
| Captain Piet de Jong (1915–2016) | 24 July 1963 – 5 April 1967 | Catholic People's Party | Marijnen |
| Captain Piet de Jong (1915–2016) | 24 July 1963 – 5 April 1967 | Catholic People's Party | Cals |
| Captain Piet de Jong (1915–2016) | 24 July 1963 – 5 April 1967 | Catholic People's Party | Zijlstra |
| Lieutenant general Willem den Toom (1911–1998) | 5 April 1967 – 6 July 1971 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | De Jong |
| Hans de Koster (1914–1992) | 6 July 1971 – 11 May 1973 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Biesheuvel I • II |
| Henk Vredeling (1924–2007) | 11 May 1973 – 1 January 1977 | Labour Party | Den Uyl |
| Captain Bram Stemerdink (born 1936) | 1 January 1977 – 19 December 1977 | Labour Party | Den Uyl |
| Dr. Roelof Kruisinga (1922–2012) | 19 December 1977 – 4 March 1978 | Christian Historical Union | Van Agt I |
| Jan de Koning (1926–1994) | 4 March 1978 – 8 March 1978 Ad Interim | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Van Agt I |
| Willem Scholten (1927–2005) | 8 March 1978 – 25 August 1980 | Christian Historical Union | Van Agt I |
| Captain Pieter de Geus (1929–2004) | 25 August 1980 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Historical Union | Van Agt I |
| Captain Pieter de Geus (1929–2004) | 25 August 1980 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt I |
| Hans van Mierlo (1931–2010) | 11 September 1981 – 4 November 1982 | Democrats 66 | Van Agt II • III |
| Dr. Job de Ruiter (1930–2015) | 4 November 1982 – 14 July 1986 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers I |
| Dr. Wim van Eekelen (born 1931) | 14 July 1986 – 6 September 1988 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Lubbers II |
| Piet Bukman (1934–2022) | 6 September 1988 – 24 September 1988 Ad Interim | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers II |
| Frits Bolkestein (1933–2025) | 24 September 1988 – 7 November 1989 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Lubbers II |
| Relus ter Beek (1944–2008) | 7 November 1989 – 6 February 1991 | Labour Party | Lubbers III |
| Jan Pronk (born 1940) | 6 February 1991 – 3 March 1991 Acting | Labour Party | Lubbers III |
| Relus ter Beek (1944–2008) | 3 March 1991 – 22 August 1994 | Labour Party | Lubbers III |
| Dr. Joris Voorhoeve (born 1945) | 22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Kok I |
| Frank de Grave (born 1955) | 3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Kok II |
| Benk Korthals (born 1944) | 22 July 2002 – 12 December 2002 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Balkenende I |
| Henk Kamp (born 1952) | 12 December 2002 – 22 February 2007 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Balkenende I |
| Henk Kamp (born 1952) | 12 December 2002 – 22 February 2007 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Balkenende II • III |
| Eimert van Middelkoop (born 1949) | 22 February 2007 – 14 October 2010 | Christian Union | Balkenende IV |
| Hans Hillen (born 1947) | 14 October 2010 – 5 November 2012 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Rutte I |
| Commander Jeanine Hennis- Plasschaert (born 1973) | 5 November 2012 – 4 October 2017 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte II |
| Dr. Klaas Dijkhoff (born 1981) | 4 October 2017 – 26 October 2017 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte II |
| Ank Bijleveld (born 1962) | 26 October 2017 – 17 September 2021 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Rutte III |
| Dr. Ferdinand Grapperhaus (born 1959) | 17 September 2021 – 24 September 2021 Acting | Christian Democratic Appeal | Rutte III |
| Henk Kamp (born 1952) | 24 September 2021 – 10 January 2022 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte III |
| Jonkvrouw Kajsa Ollongren (born 1967) | 10 January 2022 – 2 July 2024 | Democrats 66 | Rutte IV |
| Ruben Brekelmans (born 1986) | 2 July 2024 – Incumbent | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Schoof |
    $^{Resigned}$
    $^{Medicalleaveofabsencefrom6February1991until3March1991}$
    $^{AppointedasMinisterofAgricultureandFisheries}$
    $^{AppointedasEuropeanCommissioner}$
    $^{AppointedasVice-PresidentoftheCouncilofState}$
    $^{MinisterofAgriculture,FisheriesandFoodSuppliesfrom22December1958}$
    $^{MinisterforDevelopmentCooperation}$
    $^{MinisterforKingdomRelations}$
    $^{MinisterofHousing,SpatialPlanningandtheEnvironmentuntil27May2003}$
    $^{MinisterwithoutPortfolioforHousingfrom23February2010}$
    $^{MinisterofJusticeandSecurity}$

## List of state secretaries for defence

| Portrait | Name | Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| | Vice admiral Harry Moorman (1899–1971) | • Navy | 1 May 1949 – 27 November 1950 | Catholic People's Party | Drees–Van Schaik • Drees I |
| | Vice admiral Harry Moorman (1899–1971) | • Army • Navy • Air Force | 27 November 1950 – 1 June 1951 | Catholic People's Party | Drees–Van Schaik • Drees I |
| | Vice admiral Harry Moorman (1899–1971) | • Navy | 1 June 1951 – 19 May 1959 | Catholic People's Party | Drees II • III |
| | Vice admiral Harry Moorman (1899–1971) | • Navy | 1 June 1951 – 19 May 1959 | Catholic People's Party | Beel II |
| | Wim Fockema Andreae (1909–1996) | • Army • Air Force | 1 May 1949 – 27 November 1950 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Drees–Van Schaik |
| | Ferdinand Kranenburg (1911–1994) | • Army • Air Force | 1 June 1951 – 1 June 1958 | Labour Party | Drees I • II |
| | Ferdinand Kranenburg (1911–1994) | • Army • Air Force | 1 June 1951 – 1 June 1958 | Labour Party | Drees III |
| | Meine van Veen (1893–1970) | • Army • Air Force | 25 October 1958 – 22 December 1958 | Labour Party | Drees III |
| | Lieutenant general Michael Calmeyer (1895–1990) | • Army • Air Force | 19 June 1959 – 24 July 1963 | Christian Historical Union | De Quay |
| | Captain Piet de Jong (1915–2016) | • Navy | 25 June 1959 – 24 July 1963 | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| | Vice admiral Adri van Es (1913–1994) | • Navy | 14 August 1963 – 6 July 1971 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Marijnen |
| | Vice admiral Adri van Es (1913–1994) | • Navy | 14 August 1963 – 6 July 1971 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Cals |
| | Vice admiral Adri van Es (1913–1994) | • Navy | 14 August 1963 – 6 July 1971 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Zijlstra |
| | Vice admiral Adri van Es (1913–1994) | • Navy | 14 August 1963 – 6 July 1971 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | De Jong |
| | Vice admiral Adri van Es (1913–1994) | • Human Resources • Equipment | 6 July 1971 – 16 September 1972 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Biesheuvel I • II |
| | Brigadier general Joop Haex (1911–2002) | • Army | 14 August 1963 – 14 April 1965 | Christian Historical Union | Marijnen |
| | Major general Willem den Toom (1911–1998) | • Air Force | 25 November 1963 – 14 April 1965 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Marijnen |
| | Gerard Peijnenburg (1919–2000) | • Army | 13 May 1965 – 5 April 1967 | Independent | Cals |
| | Gerard Peijnenburg (1919–2000) | • Army | 13 May 1965 – 5 April 1967 | Independent | Zijlstra |
| | Colonel Jan Borghouts (1910–1966) | • Air Force | 12 July 1965 – 5 February 1966 | Catholic People's Party | Cals |
| | Lieutenant general Heije Schaper (1906–1996) | • Air Force | 22 June 1966 – 5 April 1967 | Independent | Cals |
| | Lieutenant general Heije Schaper (1906–1996) | • Air Force | 22 June 1966 – 5 April 1967 | Independent | Zijlstra |
| | Major general Joop Haex (1911–2002) | • Army | 18 April 1967 – 6 July 1971 | Christian Historical Union | De Jong |
| | Bob Duynstee (1920–2014) | • Air Force | 28 April 1967 – 6 July 1971 | Catholic People's Party | De Jong |
| | Joep Mommersteeg (1917–1991) | • Human Resources | 11 May 1973 – 1 March 1974 | Catholic People's Party | Den Uyl |
| | Brigadier general Cees van Lent (1922–2000) | • Human Resources | 11 March 1974 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party | Den Uyl |
| | Brigadier general Cees van Lent (1922–2000) | • Human Resources | 11 March 1974 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt I |
| | Captain Bram Stemerdink (born 1936) | • Equipment • Justice | 11 May 1973 – 1 January 1977 | Labour Party | Den Uyl |
| | Dr. Wim van Eekelen (born 1931) | • Equipment • Justice | 20 January 1978 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Van Agt I |
| | Captain Bram Stemerdink (born 1936) | • Equipment • Justice | 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982 | Labour Party | Van Agt II |
| | Jan van Houwelingen (1939–2013) | • Human Resources | 14 September 1981 – 7 November 1989 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt II |
| | Jan van Houwelingen (1939–2013) | • Human Resources • Equipment | 14 September 1981 – 7 November 1989 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt III |
| | Jan van Houwelingen (1939–2013) | • Equipment | 14 September 1981 – 7 November 1989 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers I |
| | Jan van Houwelingen (1939–2013) | • Human Resources • Equipment | 14 September 1981 – 7 November 1989 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers II |
| | Charl Schwietert (born 1943) | • Human Resources | 8 November 1982 – 11 November 1982 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Lubbers I |
| | Willem Hoekzema (born 1939) | • Human Resources | 19 November 1982 – 14 July 1986 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Lubbers I |
| | Baron Berend-Jan van Voorst tot Voorst (1944–2023) | • Human Resources • Equipment • Justice | 7 November 1989 – 1 June 1993 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers III |
| | Lieutenant colonel Ton Frinking (1931–2022) | • Human Resources • Equipment • Justice | 1 June 1993 – 22 August 1994 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers III |
| | Lieutenant commander Jan Gmelich Meijling (1936–2012) | • Human Resources • Equipment | 22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Kok I |
| | Commander Henk van Hoof (born 1947) | • Human Resources • Equipment | 3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Kok II |
| | Cees van der Knaap (born 1951) | • Human Resources • Military Administration • Equipment | 22 July 2002 – 18 December 2007 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Balkenende I • II • III |
| | Cees van der Knaap (born 1951) | • Human Resources • Military Administration • Equipment | 22 July 2002 – 18 December 2007 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Balkenende IV |
| | Lieutenant Jack de Vries (born 1968) | • Human Resources • Military Administration • Equipment | 18 December 2007 – 18 May 2010 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Balkenende IV |
| Vacant |||||||
| | Barbara Visser (born 1977) | • Human Resources • Military Administration • Equipment | 26 October 2017 – 31 August 2021 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte III |
| | Christophe van der Maat (born 1980) | • Human Resources • Military Administration • Equipment | 10 January 2022 – 2 July 2024 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte IV |
| | Lieutenant Colonel Gijs Tuinman (born 1979) | • Human Resources • Military Administration • Equipment | 2 July 2024 – Incumbent | Farmer–Citizen Movement | Schoof |
    $^{Resigned}$
    $^{Diedinoffice}$
    $^{AppointedasMinisterofDefence}$
    $^{AppointedasQueen'sCommissionerofLimburg}$
    $^{AppointedasMayorofEde}$
    $^{AppointedasMinisterofInfrastructureandWaterManagement}$