Defence Council of the United Kingdom

Defence Council of the United Kingdom
Agency overview
Formed1964
Preceding agency
  • Defence Board
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
HeadquartersWhitehall, Westminster, London
Agency executive
A sign erected under the auspices of the Defence Council

The Defence Council of the United Kingdom is the supreme governing body of the British Armed Forces. It was established by the Defence (Transfer of Functions) Act 1964, which statutorily delegated the military authority of the Crown, as head of the Armed Forces, to the Defence Council. It has the power of "command and administration" over the military.

The Defence Council consists of the Defence Board, its principal committee, as well as the Admiralty Board, the Army Board and the Air Force Board. The Defence Board is chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence, the minister of the crown with "general responsibility for defence" of the United Kingdom.[2]

  1. ^ "Ben Wallace Named New Defence Secretary". Forces Network. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Defence Council". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 11 February 2011.