Defence Minister of Denmark

Defence Minister of Denmark

The Defence Minister of Denmark (Danish: Forsvarsminister) is the Danish political minister as the head of the Danish Ministry of Defence, and is responsible for the Danish military, keeping Denmark defended against external threats, waging war on behalf of Denmark (for example the Danish contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq), and the surveillance of the Danish sea and airspace.

The highest non-political Danish defence post is the Danish Chief of Defence, who reports directly to the Defence Minister. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is the supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Danish Defence. The Defence Minister follows the orders of the Prime Minister of Denmark, and the decisions of the Folketing.

The current Defence Minister is Nick Hækkerup.

History

In 1905, the offices of the Navy Minister and the War Minister were merged to create the current office of Defence Minister.

See also