The Minister of Defence (Estonian : Kaitseminister ) is the senior minister at the Ministry of Defence (Estonian : Kaitseministeerium ) in the Estonian Government . The minister is one of the most important members of the Estonian government, with responsibility for coordinating the governments policies on national defence and the military forces . The defence minister is chosen by the prime minister as a part of the government.
When the position was originally established in 1918, it was called the minister of war (Sõjaminister ).[ 1]
Since Estonia regained its independence in 1991 the post has been known as the minister of defence.[ 1]
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Name
Took office
Left office
Party
Andres Larka
February 24, 1918
November 27, 1918
Independent
Konstantin Päts
November 27, 1918
May 8, 1919
Rural League
Otto Strandman
May 8, 1919
November 18, 1919
Estonian Labour Party
August Johannes Hanko
November 18, 1919
July 28, 1920
Independent
Aleksander Tõnisson
July 28, 1920
October 26, 1920
Independent
Ants Piip
October 26, 1920
January 25, 1921
Estonian Labour Party
Jaan Soots
January 25, 1921
August 2, 1923
Farmers' Assemblies
Ado Anderkopp
August 2, 1923
February 19, 1924
Estonian Labour Party
Oskar Amberg
March 26, 1924
October 18, 1924
Christian People's Party
Hans Kurvits
November 11, 1924
November 26, 1924
Independent
Jaan Soots (2nd time)
December 16, 1924
March 4, 1927
Farmers' Assemblies
Nikolai Reek
March 4, 1927
December 4, 1928
Independent
Mihkel Juhkam
December 4, 1928
March 31, 1929
Estonian Labour Party
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Name
Took office
Left office
Party
Mihkel Juhkam
April 1, 1929
July 9, 1929
Estonian Labour Party
Oskar Köster
July 9, 1929
February 12, 1931
Settlers' Party
August Kerem
February 12, 1931
November 19, 1932
Estonian People's Party
Aleksander Tõnisson (2nd time)
November 1, 1932
May 18, 1933
Independent
August Kerem (2nd time)
May 18, 1933
October 21, 1933
Estonian People's Party
Paul Lill
October 21, 1933
March 31, 1937
Independent
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Name
Took office
Left office
Paul Lill
April 1, 1937
October 12, 1939
Nikolai Reek (2nd time)
October 12, 1939
June 21, 1940
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Name
Took office
Left office
Party
Ülo Uluots
June 18, 1992
October 21, 1992
Popular Front of Estonia
Hain Rebas
October 21, 1992
August 5, 1993
Estonian National Independence Party
Jüri Luik
August 23, 1993
November 8, 1994
Pro Patria National Coalition Party
Indrek Kannik
January 7, 1994
May 23, 1994
Pro Patria National Coalition Party
Enn Tupp
June 28, 1994
April 17, 1995
Pro Patria National Coalition Party
Andrus Öövel
April 17, 1995
March 25, 1999
Estonian Coalition Party
Jüri Luik (2nd time)
March 25, 1999
January 28, 2002
Pro Patria Union
Sven Mikser
January 28, 2002
April 10, 2003
Estonian Centre Party
Margus Hanson
April 10, 2003
November 22, 2004
Estonian Reform Party
Jaak Jõerüüt
November 22, 2004
October 8, 2005
Estonian Reform Party
Jürgen Ligi
October 10, 2005
April 5, 2007
Estonian Reform Party
Jaak Aaviksoo
April 5, 2007
April 6, 2011
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Mart Laar
April 6, 2011
May 11, 2012
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Urmas Reinsalu
May 14, 2012
March 26, 2014
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Sven Mikser (2nd time)
March 26, 2014
September 14, 2015
Social Democratic Party
Hannes Hanso
September 14, 2015
November 23, 2016
Social Democratic Party
Margus Tsahkna
November 23, 2016
June 12, 2017
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Jüri Luik (3rd time)
June 12, 2017
January 26, 2021
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Kalle Laanet
January 26, 2021
July 18, 2022
Estonian Reform Party
Hanno Pevkur
July 18, 2022
Incumbent
Estonian Reform Party
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