Secretary of State for Defence

United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence
Royal Arms of His Majesty's Government
Flag of the Secretary of State for Defence
Incumbent Wes Streeting since 20 July 2026
Ministry of Defence
Style	Defence Secretary (informal) The Right Honourable (within the UK and Commonwealth) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Type	Minister of the Crown
Status	Secretary of State
Member of	Cabinet Privy Council National Security Council Defence Council Admiralty Board Army Board Air Force Board
Reports to	The Prime Minister
Seat	Westminster
Nominator	The Prime Minister
Appointer	The Monarch (on the advice of the Prime Minister)
Term length	At His Majesty's pleasure
Constituting instrument	Defence (Transfer of Functions) Act 1964 section 1(1)(a)
Precursor	Minister of Defence Secretary of State for War Secretary of State for Air First Lord of the Admiralty
Formation	1 April 1964
First holder	Peter Thorneycroft
Deputy	Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry
Salary	£159,038 per annum (2022) (including £86,584 MP salary)
Website	www.gov.uk/government/ministers/secretary-of-state-for-defence

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The secretary of state for defence, also known as the defence secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with responsibility for the Ministry of Defence. As a senior minister, the incumbent is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom.

The post of secretary of state for defence was created on 1 April 1964, replacing the positions of minister of defence, first lord of the admiralty, secretary of state for war, and secretary of state for air, while the individual offices of the British Armed Forces were abolished and their functions transferred to the Ministry of Defence. In 2019, Penny Mordaunt became the UK's first female defence secretary.

The secretary of state is supported by the other ministers in the defence ministerial team and the MOD permanent secretary. The corresponding shadow minister is the shadow secretary of state for defence, and the secretary of state is also scrutinised by the Defence Select Committee.

The current secretary of state for defence is Wes Streeting. He was appointed on 20 July 2026 following Keir Starmers' resignation.