| Minister of Defence of the Republic of Finland | |
|---|---|
| Puolustusministeri Försvarsminister | |
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Flag_of_the_Minister_of_Defence_(Finland).svg) Flag of the Minister of Defence | |
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| Ministry of Defence | |
| Member of | Cabinet |
| Seat | Helsinki, Finland |
| Nominator | Prime Minister |
| Appointer | President |
| Term length | Four years (de facto) |
| Formation | 1918 |
| First holder | Wilhelm Thesleff |
| Website | www.defmin.fi/english |
The Minister of Defence (Finnish: puolustusministeri, Swedish: försvarsminister) is a member of the Finnish Council of State. As the head of the Ministry of Defence, the minister is responsible for the administration of national defence. The ministry is headquartered in Helsinki. The current Minister of Defence is Antti Häkkänen.
From June to November 1918 the post was called Chief of the War Department, and from then until 1922 the post was called the Minister of War.
The President of the Republic is the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defence Forces. The commander of the military forces is the Chief of Defence.