Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces.

The main aims of the MoD are to defend the United Kingdom and its interests and to strengthen international peace and stability. The MoD also manages day to day running of the armed forces, contingency planning and defence procurement.

Senior Officials

Ministers:

Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP

Minister of State for the Armed Forces Nick Harvey MP

Minister for International Defence and Security Gerald Howarth MP

Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Peter Luff MP

Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans Rt Hon Andrew Robathan MP

House of Lords Spokesman

Lord Astor of Hever

Chiefs of Defence Staff:

Chief of the Defence Staff The professional head of the UK Armed Forces and the principal military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Government. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup GCB AFC ADC DSc FRAeS FCMI RAF

First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Professional head of the Royal Navy. Admiral Sir Johnathan Band GCB ADC

Chief of the General Staff Professional head of the British Army. General Sir Richard Dannatt KCB CBE MC ADC Gen

Chief of the Air Staff Professional head of the Royal Air Force. Chief of the Air Staff - Sir Glenn Torpy KCB CBE DSO ADC BSc(Eng) FRAeS FCGI RAF