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List of ministers of defence of the Netherlands facts for kids

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Minister of Defence of
the Netherlands
Onderscheidingsvlag Minister van Defensie (2023).svg
Flag for the minister of defence
Logo ministerie van defensie.svg
Ruben Brekelmans (cropped).jpg
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)
(including €4,193 of expenses)
Website Minister of Defence


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.

History

Role

List of ministers of defence

1928–1941

Minister of Defence Term of office Party Prime Minister
(Cabinet)
JMJH-Lambooy-persoonlijkheden.jpg Major
Johan Lambooij
(1874–1942)
1 September 1928 –
10 August 1929
Roman Catholic
State Party
Dirk Jan de Geer
(De Geer I)
Laurentius Nicolaas Deckers Dr.
Laurentius Nicolaas
Deckers
(1883–1978)
10 August 1929 –
2 September 1935
Roman Catholic
State Party
Charles Ruijs de
Beerenbrouck

(De Beerenbrouck III)
Hendrikus Colijn
(Colijn II)
Hendrikus Colijn
(Colijn III)
Hendrikus Colijn Major
Dr.
Hendrikus Colijn
(Prime Minister)
(1869–1944)
2 September 1935 –
24 June 1937
Anti-Revolutionary Party
Jannes van Dijk Captain
Dr.
Jannes van Dijk
(1871–1954)
24 June 1937 –
10 August 1939
Anti-Revolutionary Party Hendrikus Colijn
(Colijn IV • V)
Adriaan Dijxhoorn Major general
Adriaan Dijxhoorn
(1889–1953)
10 August 1939 –
12 June 1941
Independent
Liberal

(Conservative Liberal)
Dirk Jan de Geer
(De Geer II)
Pieter Sjoerds Gerbrandy
(Gerbrandy I)
Hendrik van Boeijen Hendrik van Boeijen
(also Minister of the Interior)
(1889–1947)
12 June 1941 –
27 July 1941
Christian Historical Union

Since 1948

Minister of War
and Navy
Term of office Party Prime Minister
(Cabinet)
Wim Schokking Captain
Wim Schokking
(1900–1960)
7 August 1948 –
16 October 1950
Christian
Historical Union
Willem Drees
(Drees–
Van Schaik)

Hans s'Jacob Hans s'Jacob
(1906–1967)
16 October 1950 –
15 March 1951
Independent
Christian Democratic
Protestant
Kees Staf Kees Staf
(1905–1973)
15 March 1951 –
13 October 1956
Christian
Historical Union
Willem Drees
(Drees I • II)
Minister of Defence Term of office Party Prime Minister
(Cabinet)
Kees Staf Kees Staf
(1905–1973)
13 October 1956 –
19 May 1959
Christian
Historical Union
Willem Drees
(Drees III)
Louis Beel
(Beel II)
Sidney J. van den Bergh 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)
Jan de Quay Dr.
Jan de Quay
(Prime Minister)
(1901–1985)
1 August 1959 –
4 September 1959
Catholic
People's Party
Sim Visser Sim Visser
(1908–1983)
4 September 1959 –
24 July 1963
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Piet de Jong 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)
Willem den Toom 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 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 Henk Vredeling
(1924–2007)
11 May 1973 –
1 January 1977
Labour Party Joop den Uyl
(Den Uyl)
Bram Stemerdink Captain
Bram Stemerdink
(born 1936)
1 January 1977 –
19 December 1977
Labour Party
Roelof Kruisinga Dr.
Roelof Kruisinga
(1922–2012)
19 December 1977 –
4 March 1978
Christian
Historical Union
Dries van Agt
(Van Agt I)
Jan de Koning Jan de Koning
(1926–1994)
4 March 1978 –
8 March 1978
Anti-Revolutionary
Party
Willem Scholten Willem Scholten
(1927–2005)
8 March 1978 –
25 August 1980
Christian
Historical Union
Pieter de Geus Captain
Pieter de Geus
(1929–2004)
25 August 1980 –
11 September 1981
Christian
Historical Union
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Hans van Mierlo Hans van Mierlo
(1931–2010)
11 September 1981 –
4 November 1982
Democrats 66 Dries van Agt
(Van Agt II • III)
Job de Ruiter Dr.
Job de Ruiter
(1930–2015)
4 November 1982 –
14 July 1986
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Ruud Lubbers
(Lubbers I)
Wim van Eekelen 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 Piet Bukman
(1934–2022)
6 September 1988 –
24 September 1988
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Frits Bolkestein Frits Bolkestein
(born 1933)
24 September 1988 –
7 November 1989
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Relus ter Beek Relus ter Beek
(1944–2008)
7 November 1989 –
6 February 1991
Labour Party Ruud Lubbers
(Lubbers III)
Jan Pronk Jan Pronk
(born 1940)
6 February 1991 –
3 March 1991
Labour Party
Relus ter Beek Relus ter Beek
(1944–2008)
3 March 1991 –
22 August 1994
Labour Party
Joris Voorhoeve 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 Frank de Grave
(born 1955)
3 August 1998 –
22 July 2002
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Wim Kok
(Kok II)
Benk Korthals Benk Korthals
(born 1944)
22 July 2002 –
12 December 2002
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Jan Peter
Balkenende

(Balkenende I)
Henk Kamp 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 Eimert van
Middelkoop
(born 1949)
22 February 2007 –
14 October 2010
Christian Union Jan Peter
Balkenende

(Balkenende IV)
Hans Hillen Hans Hillen
(born 1947)
14 October 2010 –
5 November 2012
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Mark Rutte
(Rutte I)
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert Commander
Jeanine Hennis-
Plasschaert
(born 1973)
5 November 2012 –
4 October 2017
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Mark Rutte
(Rutte II)
Klaas Dijkhoff Dr.
Klaas Dijkhoff
(born 1981)
4 October 2017 –
26 October 2017
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Ank Bijleveld Ank Bijleveld
(born 1962)
26 October 2017 –
17 September 2021
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Mark Rutte
(Rutte III)
Ferdinand Grapperhaus Dr.
Ferdinand
Grapperhaus
(born 1959)
17 September 2021 –
24 September 2021
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Henk Kamp Henk Kamp
(born 1952)
24 September 2021 –
10 January 2022
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Kajsa Ollongren Jonkvrouw
Kajsa Ollongren
(born 1967)
10 January 2022 –
2 July 2024
Democrats 66 Mark Rutte
(Rutte IV)
Ruben Brekelmans Ruben Brekelmans
(born 1986)
2 July 2024 –
Incumbent
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Dick Schoof
(Schoof)

List of state secretaries for defence

State Secretary for
Defence
Portfolio(s) Term of office Party Prime Minister
(Cabinet)
Harry Moorman Vice admiral
Harry Moorman
(1899–1971)
• Navy 1 May 1949 –
27 November 1950
Catholic
People's Party
Willem Drees
(Drees–Van Schaik
• Drees I)

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force
27 November 1950 –
1 June 1951
• Navy 1 June 1951 –
19 May 1959
Willem Drees
(Drees II • III)
Louis Beel
(Beel II)
Wim Fockema Andreae Wim Fockema
Andreae
(1909–1996)
• Army
• Air Force
1 May 1949 –
27 November 1950
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Willem Drees
(Drees–Van Schaik)
Ferdinand Kranenburg Ferdinand
Kranenburg
(1911–1994)
• Army
• Air Force
1 June 1951 –
1 June 1958
Labour Party Willem Drees
(Drees I • II)
Willem Drees
(Drees III)
Meine van Veen Meine van Veen
(1893–1970)
25 October 1958 –
22 December 1958
Labour Party
Michael Calmeyer Lieutenant general
Michael Calmeyer
(1895–1990)
• Army
• Air Force
19 June 1959 –
24 July 1963
Christian
Historical Union
Jan de Quay
(De Quay)
Piet de Jong Captain
Piet de Jong
(1915–2016)
• Navy 25 June 1959 –
24 July 1963
Catholic
People's Party
Adri van Es Vice admiral
Adri van Es
(1913–1994)
• Navy 14 August 1963 –
6 July 1971
Anti-Revolutionary
Party
Victor Marijnen
(Marijnen)
Jo Cals
(Cals)
Jelle Zijlstra
(Zijlstra)
Piet de Jong
(De Jong)
• Human
Resources
• Equipment
6 July 1971 –
16 September 1972
Barend Biesheuvel
(Biesheuvel I • II)
Joop Haex Brigadier general
Joop Haex
(1911–2002)
• Army 14 August 1963 –
14 April 1965
Christian
Historical Union
Victor Marijnen
(Marijnen)
Wim van Eekelen Major general
Willem den Toom
(1911–1998)
• Air Force 25 November 1963 –
14 April 1965
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Gerard Peijnenburg Gerard
Peijnenburg
(1919–2000)
• Army 13 May 1965 –
5 April 1967
Independent
Christian Democratic
Catholic
Jo Cals
(Cals)
Jelle Zijlstra
(Zijlstra)
Jan Borghouts Colonel
Jan Borghouts
(1910–1966)
• Air Force 12 July 1965 –
5 February 1966
Catholic
People's Party
Jo Cals
(Cals)
Heije Schaper Lieutenant general
Heije Schaper
(1906–1996)
22 June 1966 –
5 April 1967
Independent
Conservative Liberal
Jelle Zijlstra
(Zijlstra)
Joop Haex Major general
Joop Haex
(1911–2002)
• Army 18 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Christian
Historical Union
Piet de Jong
(De Jong)
Bob Duynstee Bob Duynstee
(1920–2014)
• Air Force 28 April 1967 –
6 July 1971
Catholic
People's Party
Joep Mommersteeg Joep
Mommersteeg
(1917–1991)
• Human
Resources
11 May 1973 –
1 March 1974
Catholic
People's Party
Joop den Uyl
(Den Uyl)
Cees van Lent Brigadier general
Cees van Lent
(1922–2000)
11 March 1974 –
11 September 1981
Catholic
People's Party
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Dries van Agt
(Van Agt I)
Bram Stemerdink Captain
Bram Stemerdink
(born 1936)
• Equipment
• Justice
11 May 1973 –
1 January 1977
Labour Party Joop den Uyl
(Den Uyl)
Wim van Eekelen Dr.
Wim van Eekelen
(born 1931)
• Equipment
• Justice
20 January 1978 –
11 September 1981
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Dries van Agt
(Van Agt I)
Bram Stemerdink Captain
Bram Stemerdink
(born 1936)
• Equipment
• Justice
11 September 1981 –
29 May 1982
Labour Party Dries van Agt
(Van Agt II)
Jan van Houwelingen Jan van
Houwelingen
(1939–2013)
• Human
Resources
14 September 1981 –
7 November 1989
Christian
Democratic Appeal
• Human
Resources
• Equipment
Dries van Agt
(Van Agt III)
• Equipment Ruud Lubbers
(Lubbers I)
• Human
Resources
• Equipment
Ruud Lubbers
(Lubbers II)
Charl Schwietert Charl Schwietert
(born 1943)
• Human
Resources
8 November 1982 –
11 November 1982
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Ruud Lubbers
(Lubbers I)
Willem Hoekzema Willem Hoekzema
(born 1939)
19 November 1982 –
14 July 1986
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Berend-Jan van Voorst tot Voorst Baron
Berend-Jan van
Voorst tot Voorst
(1944–2023)
• Human
Resources
• Equipment
• Justice
7 November 1989 –
1 June 1993
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Ruud Lubbers
(Lubbers III)
Ton Frinking Lieutenant colonel
Ton Frinking
(1931–2022)
1 June 1993 –
22 August 1994
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Jan Gmelich Meijling Lieutenant
commander

Jan Gmelich
Meijling
(1936–2012)
• Human
Resources
• Equipment
22 August 1994 –
3 August 1998
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Wim Kok
(Kok I)
Henk van Hoof Commander
Henk van Hoof
(born 1947)
• Human
Resources
• Equipment
3 August 1998 –
22 July 2002
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Wim Kok
(Kok II)
Cees van der Knaap Cees van
der Knaap
(born 1951)
Human
Resources

• Military
Administration
• Equipment
22 July 2002 –
18 December 2007
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Jan Peter
Balkenende

(Balkenende
I • II • III)

Jan Peter
Balkenende

(Balkenende IV)
Jack de Vries Lieutenant
Jack de Vries
(born 1968)
18 December 2007 –
18 May 2010
Christian
Democratic Appeal
Vacant
Barbara Visser Barbara Visser
(born 1977)
Human
Resources

• Military
Administration
• Equipment
26 October 2017 –
31 August 2021
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Mark Rutte
(Rutte III)
Christophe van der Maat Christophe
van der Maat
(born 1980)
Human
Resources

• Military
Administration
• Equipment
10 January 2022 –
2 July 2024
People's Party
for Freedom and
Democracy
Mark Rutte
(Rutte IV)
Gijs Tuinman Lieutenant Colonel
Gijs Tuinman
(born 1979)
Human
Resources

• Military
Administration
• Equipment
2 July 2024 –
Incumbent
Farmer–Citizen
Movement
Dick Schoof
(Schoof)

See also

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List of ministers of defence of the Netherlands Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.