View source for Minister of Defence (Finland)

{{Infobox official post
|post                     = Minister of Defence
|body                     = the Republic of Finland
|native_name              = ''Puolustusministeri''<br/>''Försvarsminister''
|flag                     = Flag of the Minister of Defence (Finland).svg
|flagsize                 = 150px
|flagcaption              = Flag of the Minister of Defence 
|insignia                 = <!-- A coat of arms, logo, seal or other symbol associated with this post. 
                                 Just the image name, no "File:" or "Image:" coding. -->
|insigniasize             = <!-- Example, "150px". 
                                 Default size is 120px. -->
|insigniacaption          = <!-- Short description of the insignia displayed above.-->
|image                    = Antti-Häkkänen-01 (cropped).jpg
|imagesize                = 200px
|incumbent                = [[Antti Häkkänen]]
|incumbentsince           = 20 June 2023
|department               = Ministry of Defence
|style                    = <!-- The recognized manner of address afforded this post. --> 
|member_of                = [[Cabinet of Finland|Cabinet]]
|reports_to               = <!-- The immediate superior/supervisor for this post.-->
|residence                = <!-- Name of official residence, if any. -->
|seat                     = [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]
|nominator                = [[Prime Minister of Finland|Prime Minister]]
|appointer                = [[President of Finland|President]]
|appointer_qualified      = <!-- Qualifying statement. -->
|termlength               = Four years (''[[de facto]]'')
|termlength_qualified     = 
|constituting_instrument  = <!-- The document(s) which provide the legal basis for the post. -->
|precursor                = <!-- The immediate predecessor post(s). -->
|formation                = {{start date and age|df=y|1918}}
|first                    = [[Wilhelm Thesleff]] 
|succession               = <!-- Optional. -->
|deputy                   = <!-- Name of other post with authority to stand-in for this post.-->
|salary                   = <!-- Official paygrade, or actual amount received.-->
|website                  = [http://www.defmin.fi/english www.defmin.fi/english]
}}
The '''Minister of Defence''' ({{langx|fi|puolustusministeri}}, {{langx|sv|försvarsminister}}) is a member of the [[Cabinet of Finland|Finnish Council of State]]. As the head of the [[Ministry of Defence (Finland)|Ministry of Defence]], the minister is responsible for the administration of national defence. The [[Ministry of Defence (Finland)|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 Finland|President of the Republic]] is the commander-in-chief of the [[Finnish Defence Force]]s. The commander of the military forces is the [[Chief of Defence (Finland)|Chief of Defence]].

==Ministry offices==

[[File:Revell Finnish Defence Ministry.jpg|200px]]

Finnish Ministry of Defence Offices consists of two wings:

* South Makasiinikatu 8 since - Built by CL Engel as barracks for the [[Finnish Guard]] in 1922 and destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt by retaining the original walls from 1954 to 1956 and used as Defense Headquarters since 1956<ref>http://www.defmin.fi/ministerio/puolustusministerio/historiaa (Finnish)</ref>
* Fabiansgatan 2 - newer wing was built in 1961 by Finnish architects [[Viljo Revell]] and [[Heikki Castrén]].

===Previous ministry offices===

* Eteläesplanadi 10 - 1918-1921 it was located here and now home to Ministry of Justice
* Korkeavuorenkatu 21 (Ohrana House) - relocated in 1921 and here until beginning of World War II; now [[Finnish Border Guard]] Headquarters
* Snellmaninkatu 4-6 - moved here 1941 to 1956 which now home to [[Finnish Financial Supervision Authority]]

==List of ministers of defence==
Source:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://valtioneuvosto.fi/tietoa/historiaa/hallitukset-ja-ministerit/raportti/-/r/v9l/32 |title=Council of State - Ministers of War|publisher=Valtioneuvosto.fi|access-date=30 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://valtioneuvosto.fi/tietoa/historiaa/hallitukset-ja-ministerit/raportti/-/r/v9l/11 |title=Council of State - Ministers of Defence|publisher=Valtioneuvosto.fi|access-date=30 December 2017|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329172636/https://valtioneuvosto.fi/tietoa/historiaa/hallitukset-ja-ministerit/raportti/-/r/v9l/11 }}</ref>

{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showimage          = y
| image_title        = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Minister
| showtermlenght     = y
| showelection       = n
| showcoalition      = n
| showcabinet        = y
| party_col          = 1
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 1
| image        = Vilhelm Thesleff.gif
| term_start   = 27 May 1918
| term_end     = 27 November 1918
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1918|5|27|1918|11|27}}
| officeholder= [[Vilhelm Aleksander Thesleff|Vilhelm Thesleff]]
| born_year    = 1880
| died_year    = 1941
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Juho Kusti Paasikivi's first senate|Paasikivi I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 2
| image        = Rudolf_Walden.jpg
| term_start   = 27 November 1918
| term_end     = 15 August 1919
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1918|11|27|1919|8|15}}
| officeholder = [[Rudolf Walden]]
| born_year    = 1878
| died_year    = 1946
| alt_party    =  Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Lauri Ingman's first cabinet|Ingman]] <br> [[Kaarlo Castrén Cabinet|K. Castrén]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 3
| image= Berg_Karl_Emil.jpg
| term_start= 15 August 1919
| term_end= 15 March 1920
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1919|8|15|1920|3|15}}
| officeholder= Karl Emil Berg
| born_year= 1869
| died_year= 1921
| alt_party= Independent politician 
| cabinet= [[Juho Vennola's first cabinet|Vennola I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 4
| image        = Bruno_Jalander.jpg
| term_start   = 15 March 1920
| term_end     = 9 April 1921
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1920|3|15|1921|4|9}}
| officeholder = [[Bruno Jalander]]
| born_year    = 1872
| died_year    = 1966
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Rafael Erich's cabinet|Erich]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 5
| image        = 
| term_start   = 9 April 1921
| term_end     = 3 September 1921
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1921|4|9|1921|9|3}}
| officeholder = Onni Hämäläinen
| born_year    = 1885
| died_year    = 1954
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Juho Vennola's second cabinet|Vennola II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = (4)
| image        = Bruno_Jalander.jpg
| term_start   = 3 September 1921
| term_end     = 22 June 1923
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1921|9|3|1923|6|22}}
| officeholder = [[Bruno Jalander]]
| born_year    = 1872
| died_year    = 1966
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Juho Vennola's second cabinet|Vennola II]] <br> [[Aimo Cajander's first cabinet|Cajander I]] <br> [[Kyösti Kallio's first cabinet|Kallio I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 6
| image        = Kallio.jpg
| term_start   = 22 June 1923
| term_end     = 16 August 1923
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1923|6|22|1923|8|16}}
| officeholder = [[Kyösti Kallio]]
| born_year    = 1873
| died_year    = 1940
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      = [[Kyösti Kallio's first cabinet|Kallio I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 7
| image        = Nenonen_V_P.jpg
| term_start   = 16 August 1923
| term_end     = 18 January 1924
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1923|8|16|1924|1|18}}
| officeholder = [[Vilho Nenonen]]
| born_year    = 1883
| died_year    = 1960
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Kyösti Kallio's first cabinet|Kallio I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 8
| image        = 
| term_start   = 18 January 1924
| term_end     = 11 March 1924
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1924|1|18|1924|3|11}}
| officeholder = Viktor Henrik Schvindt
| born_year    = 1866
| died_year    = 1928
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Aimo Cajander's second cabinet|Cajander II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 9
| image        = Iwar Aminoff (cropped).jpg
| term_start   = 11 March 1924
| term_end     = 31 May 1924
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1924|3|11|1924|5|31}}
| officeholder = [[Ivar Aminoff]]
| born_year    = 1868
| died_year    = 1931
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Aimo Cajander's second cabinet|Cajander II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 10
| image        = Malmberg lauri.jpg
| term_start   = 31 May 1924
| term_end     = 31 March 1925
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1924|5|31|1925|3|31}}
| officeholder = [[Lauri Malmberg]]
| born_year    = 1888
| died_year    = 1948
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Lauri Ingman's second cabinet|Ingman II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 11
| image        = Lampén, Aleksander (cropped).tif
| term_start   = 31 March 1925
| term_end     = 31 December 1925
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1925|3|31|1925|12|31}}
| officeholder = [[Aleksander Lampén]]
| born_year    = 1879
| died_year    = 1935
| alt_party    = National Coalition Party
| cabinet      = [[Antti Tulenheimo's cabinet|Tulenheimo]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 12
| image        = Leonard-Hjelmman.jpg
| term_start   = 31 December 1925
| term_end     = 13 December 1926
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1925|12|31|1926|12|13}}
| officeholder = Leonard Hjelmman
| born_year    = 1869
| died_year    = 1952
| alt_party    = National Coalition Party
| cabinet      = [[Kyösti Kallio's second cabinet|Kallio II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 13
| image        = Kaarlo Heinonen.jpg
| term_start   = 13 December 1926
| term_end     = 17 December 1927
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1926|12|13|1927|12|17}}
| officeholder = [[Kaarlo Heinonen]]
| born_year    = 1878
| died_year    = 1944
| alt_party    = Social Democratic Party of Finland
| cabinet      = [[Väinö Tanner's cabinet|Tanner]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 14
| image        = 
| term_start   = 17 December 1927
| term_end     = 22 December 1928
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1927|12|17|1928|12|22}}
| officeholder = [[Jalo Lahdensuo]]
| born_year    = 1882
| died_year    = 1973
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      = [[Juho Sunila's first cabinet|Sunila I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 15
| image        = Aimo_Cajander.png
| term_start   = 22 December 1928
| term_end     = 16 August 1929
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1928|12|22|1929|8|16}}
| officeholder = [[Aimo Cajander]]
| born_year    = 1879
| died_year    = 1943
| alt_party    = National Progressive Party (Finland)
| cabinet      = [[Oskari Mantere's cabinet|Mantere]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 16
| image        = Minister_of_defence_Juho_Niukkanen_in_a_studio,_1930s..jpg
| term_start   = 16 August 1929
| term_end     = 4 July 1930
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1929|8|16|1930|7|4}}
| officeholder = [[Juho Niukkanen]]
| born_year    = 1888
| died_year    = 1954
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      = [[Kyösti Kallio's third cabinet|Kallio III]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 17
| image        = Albin Manner.jpg
| term_start   = 10 July 1930
| term_end     = 21 March 1931
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1930|7|10|1931|3|21}}
| officeholder = [[Albin Manner]]
| born_year    = 1888
| died_year    = 1954
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      = [[Pehr Evind Svinhufvud's second cabinet|Svinhufvud II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = (14)
| image        = 
| term_start   = 21 March 1931
| term_end     = 14 December 1932
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1931|3|21|1932|12|14}}
| officeholder = [[Jalo Lahdensuo]]
| born_year    = 1882
| died_year    = 1973
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      = [[Juho Sunila's second cabinet|Sunila II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = 18
| image        = Arvi Oksala (cropped).jpg
| term_start   = 14 December 1932
| term_end     = 12 March 1937
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1932|12|14|1937|3|12}}
| officeholder = [[Arvi Oksala]]
| born_year    = 1891
| died_year    = 1949
| alt_party    = Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Toivo Mikael Kivimäki's cabinet|Kivimäki]] <br> [[Kyösti Kallio's fourth cabinet|Kallio IV]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2       = (16)
| image        = Minister_of_defence_Juho_Niukkanen_in_a_studio,_1930s..jpg
| term_start   = 12 March 1937
| term_end     = 27 March 1940
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1937|3|12|1940|3|27}}
| officeholder = [[Juho Niukkanen]]
| born_year    = 1888
| died_year    = 1954
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      = [[Aimo Cajander's third cabinet|Cajander III]] <br> [[Risto Ryti's first cabinet|Ryti I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = (2)
| image        = Rudolf_Walden.jpg
| term_start   = 27 March 1940
| term_end     = 1 December 1944
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1940|3|27|1944|12|1}}
| officeholder = [[Rudolf Walden]]
| born_year    = 1878
| died_year    = 1946
| alt_party    =  Independent politician 
| cabinet      = [[Risto Ryti's second cabinet|Ryti II]] <br> [[Johan Wilhelm Rangell's cabinet|Rangell]] <br> [[Edwin Linkomies' cabinet|Linkomies]] <br> [[Antti Hackzell's cabinet|Hackzell]] <br> [[Urho Castrén's cabinet|U. Castrén]] <br> [[Juho Kusti Paasikivi's second cabinet|Paasikivi II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 19
| image        = Väinö_Valve_in_the_Finnish_Navy_Headquarters_in_October_1941_(SA-kuva_54459).jpg
| term_start   = 1 December 1944
| term_end     = 17 April 1945
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1944|12|1|1945|4|17}}
| officeholder = [[Väinö Valve]]
| born_year    = 1895
| died_year    = 1995
| alt_party    =  Independent politician 
| cabinet      =  [[Juho Kusti Paasikivi's second cabinet|Paasikivi II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 20
| image        = MaunoPekkala.jpg
| term_start   = 17 April 1945
| term_end     = 27 March 1946
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1945|4|17|1946|3|27}}
| officeholder = [[Mauno Pekkala]]
| born_year    = 1890
| died_year    = 1952
| alt_party    = Finnish People's Democratic League
| cabinet      =  [[Juho Kusti Paasikivi's third cabinet|Paasikivi III]] <br> [[Mauno Pekkala's cabinet|Pekkala]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 21
| image        = Yrjo-Kallinen-1966 (cropped).jpg
| term_start   = 27 March 1946
| term_end     = 29 July 1948
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1946|3|27|1948|7|29}}
| officeholder = [[Yrjö Kallinen]]
| born_year    = 1886
| died_year    = 1976
| alt_party    = Social Democratic Party of Finland
| cabinet      =  [[Mauno Pekkala's cabinet|Pekkala]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 22
| image        = Emil-Skog-1957.jpg
| term_start   = 29 July 1948
| term_end     = 17 March 1950
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1948|7|29|1950|3|17}}
| officeholder = [[Emil Skog]]
| born_year    = 1897
| died_year    = 1981
| alt_party    = Social Democratic Party of Finland
| cabinet      =  [[Karl-August Fagerholm's first cabinet|Fagerholm I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 23
| image        = Malinen-Tiitu-Karjalainen-1957 (cropped2).jpg
| term_start   = 17 March 1950
| term_end     = 17 January 1951
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1950|3|17|1951|1|17}}
| officeholder = [[Kustaa Tiitu]]
| born_year    = 1896
| died_year    = 1990
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      =  [[Urho Kekkonen's first cabinet|Kekkonen I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = (22)
| image        = Emil-Skog-1957.jpg
| term_start   = 17 January 1951
| term_end     = 9 July 1953
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1951|1|17|1953|7|9}}
| officeholder = [[Emil Skog]]
| born_year    = 1897
| died_year    = 1981
| alt_party    = Social Democratic Party of Finland
| cabinet      =  [[Urho Kekkonen's second cabinet|Kekkonen II]]-[[Urho Kekkonen's third cabinet|III]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 24
| image        = Kauno_Kleemola.jpg
| term_start   = 9 July 1953
| term_end     = 17 November 1953
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1953|7|9|1953|11|17}}
| officeholder = [[Kauno Kleemola]]
| born_year    = 1906
| died_year    = 1965
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      =  [[Urho Kekkonen's fourth cabinet|Kekkonen IV]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 25
| image        = Päiviö_Hetemäki_1965.jpeg
| term_start   = 17 November 1953
| term_end     = 5 May 1954
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1953|11|17|1954|5|5}}
| officeholder = [[Päiviö Hetemäki]]
| born_year    = 1913
| died_year    = 1980
| alt_party    = National Coalition Party
| cabinet      =  [[Sakari Tuomioja's cabinet|Tuomioja]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = (22)
| image        = Emil-Skog-1957.jpg
| term_start   = 5 May 1954
| term_end     = 27 May 1957
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1954|5|5|1957|5|27}}
| officeholder = [[Emil Skog]]
| born_year    = 1897
| died_year    = 1981
| alt_party    = Social Democratic Party of Finland
| cabinet      =  [[Ralf Törngren's cabinet|Törngren]] <br> [[Urho Kekkonen's fifth cabinet|Kekkonen V]] <br> [[Karl-August Fagerholm's second cabinet|Fagerholm II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2        = 26
| image        = Atte Pakkanen (cropped).jpg
| term_start   = 27 May 1957
| term_end     = 2 September 1957
| timeinoffice = {{age in years and days|1957|5|27|1957|9|2}}
| officeholder = [[Atte Pakkanen]]
| born_year    = 1912
| died_year    = 1994
| alt_party    = Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet      = [[Vieno Johannes Sukselainen's first cabinet|Sukselainen I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 27
| image= Malinen-Tiitu-Karjalainen-1957 (cropped).jpg
| term_start= 2 September 1957
| term_end = 29 November 1957
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1957|9|2|1957|11|29}}
| officeholder= [[Pekka Malinen]]
| born_year= 1921
| died_year= 2004
| alt_party= People's Party of Finland (1951)
| cabinet= [[Vieno Johannes Sukselainen's first cabinet|Sukselainen I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 28
| image= Kalle-Lehmus-1970.jpg
| term_start= 29 November 1957
| term_end = 26 April 1958
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1957|11|29|1958|4|26}}
| officeholder= Kalle Lehmus
| born_year= 1907
| died_year= 1987
| alt_party= Independent politician 
| cabinet= [[Rainer von Fieandt's cabinet|von Fieandt]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 29
| image= Edvard Björkenheim.jpg
| term_start= 26 April 1958
| term_end = 29 August 1958
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1958|4|26|1958|8|29}}
| officeholder= [[Edvard Björkenheim]] 
| born_year= 1901
| died_year= 1965
| alt_party= Independent politician 
| cabinet= [[Reino Kuuskoski's cabinet|Kuuskoski]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 30
| image= Toivo-Wiherheimo-1966.jpg
| term_start= 29 August 1958
| term_end = 13 January 1959
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1958|8|29|1959|1|13}}
| officeholder= [[Toivo Wiherheimo]]
| born_year= 1898
| died_year= 1970
| alt_party= National Coalition Party
| cabinet= [[Karl-August Fagerholm's second cabinet|Fagerholm II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 31
| image= 
| term_start= 13 January 1959
| term_end = 14 July 1961
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1959|1|13|1961|7|14}}
| officeholder= [[Leo Häppölä]]
| born_year= 1911
| died_year= 1998
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Vieno Johannes Sukselainen's second cabinet|Sukselainen II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = (29)
| image= Edvard Björkenheim.jpg
| term_start= 14 July 1961
| term_end = 13 April 1962
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1961|7|14|1962|4|13}}
| officeholder= [[Edvard Björkenheim]]
| born_year= 1901
| died_year= 1965
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Martti Miettunen's first cabinet|Miettunen I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 32
| image= Arvo_Pentti_29.jpg
| term_start= 13 April 1962
| term_end = 18 December 1963
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1962|4|13|1963|12|18}}
| officeholder= [[Arvo Pentti]]
| born_year= 1915
| died_year= 1986
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Ahti Karjalainen's first cabinet|Karjalainen I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 33
| image= Kaarlo-Olavi-Leinonen-1972.jpg
| term_start= 18 December 1963
| term_end = 12 September 1964
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1963|12|18|1964|9|12}}
| officeholder= [[Kaarlo Leinonen]]
| born_year= 1914
| died_year= 1975
| alt_party= Independent politician 
| cabinet= [[Reino Ragnar Lehto's cabinet|Lehto]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = (32)
| image= Arvo_Pentti_29.jpg
| term_start= 12 September 1964
| term_end = 27 May 1966
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1964|9|12|1966|5|27}}
| officeholder= [[Arvo Pentti]]
| born_year= 1915
| died_year= 1986
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Johannes Virolainen's cabinet|Virolainen]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 34
| image= Sulo Suorttanen in 1970.jpg
| term_start= 27 May 1966
| term_end = 14 May 1970
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1966|5|27|1970|5|14}}
| officeholder= [[Sulo Suorttanen]]
| born_year= 1921
| died_year= 2005
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Rafael Paasio's first cabinet|Paasio I]] <br> [[Koivisto I cabinet|Koivisto I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = (32)
| image= Arvo_Pentti_29.jpg
| term_start= 14 May 1970
| term_end = 15 July 1970
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1970|5|14|1970|7|15}}
| officeholder= [[Arvo Pentti]] 
| born_year= 1915
| died_year= 1986
| alt_party= Independent politician 
| cabinet= [[Teuvo Aura's first cabinet|Aura I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 35
| image= Kristian-Gestrin-1971 (cropped).jpg
| term_start= 15 July 1970
| term_end = 29 October 1971
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1970|7|15|1971|10|29}}
| officeholder= [[Kristian Gestrin]]
| born_year= 1929
| died_year= 1990
| alt_party= Swedish People's Party
| cabinet= [[Karjalainen II cabinet|Karjalainen II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = (32)
| image= Arvo_Pentti_29.jpg
| term_start= 29 October 1971
| term_end = 23 February 1972
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1971|10|29|1972|2|23}}
| officeholder= [[Arvo Pentti]] 
| born_year= 1915
| died_year= 1986
| alt_party= Independent politician 
| cabinet= [[Aura II cabinet|Aura II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 36
| image= 
| term_start= 23 February 1972
| term_end = 4 September 1972
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1972|2|23|1972|9|4}}
| officeholder= [[Sulo Hostila]]
| born_year= 1920
| died_year= 2002
| alt_party= Social Democratic Party of Finland
| cabinet= [[Paasio II cabinet|Paasio II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = (35)
| image= Kristian-Gestrin-1971 (cropped).jpg
| term_start= 4 September 1972
| term_end = 30 September 1974
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1972|9|4|1974|9|30}}
| officeholder= [[Kristian Gestrin]]
| born_year= 1929
| died_year= 1990
| alt_party= Swedish People's Party
| cabinet= [[Sorsa I cabinet|Sorsa I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 37
| image= 
| term_start= 1 October 1974
| term_end = 13 June 1975
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1974|10|1|1975|6|13}}
| officeholder= [[Carl-Olaf Homén]]
| born_year= 1936
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Swedish People's Party
| cabinet= [[Sorsa I cabinet|Sorsa I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 38
| image= Erkki Huurtamo.jpg
| term_start= 13 June 1975
| term_end = 30 November 1975
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1975|6|13|1975|11|30}}
| officeholder= [[Erkki Huurtamo]]
| born_year= 1917
| died_year= 1999
| alt_party= Independent politician 
| cabinet= [[Liinamaa cabinet|Liinamaa]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 39
| image= Airisto-Melin-1961 (cropped).jpg
| term_start= 30 November 1975
| term_end = 29 September 1976
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1975|11|30|1976|9|29}}
| officeholder= [[Ingvar S. Melin]]
| born_year= 1932
| died_year= 2011
| alt_party= Swedish People's Party
| cabinet= [[Miettunen II cabinet|Miettunen II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 40
| image= 
| term_start= 29 September 1976
| term_end = 15 May 1977
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1976|9|29|1977|5|15}}
| officeholder= [[Seppo Westerlund]]
| born_year= 1930
| died_year= 2014
| alt_party= Liberals (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Miettunen II cabinet|Miettunen II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 41
| image= 
| term_start= 15 May 1977
| term_end = 26 May 1979
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1977|5|15|1979|5|26}}
| officeholder= [[Taisto Tähkämaa]]
| born_year= 1924
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Sorsa II cabinet|Sorsa II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 42
| image= 
| term_start= 26 May 1979
| term_end = 19 February 1982
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1979|5|26|1982|2|19}}
| officeholder= [[Lasse Äikäs]]
| born_year= 1932
| died_year= 1988
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Koivisto II cabinet|Koivisto II]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 43
| image= 
| term_start= 19 February 1982
| term_end = 6 May 1983
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1982|2|19|1983|5|6}}
| officeholder= Juhani Saukkonen
| born_year= 1937
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Sorsa III cabinet|Sorsa III]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 44
| image= 
| term_start= 6 May 1983
| term_end = 30 April 1987
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|1983|5|6|1987|4|30}}
| officeholder= Veikko Pihlajamäki
| born_year= 1922
| died_year= 2007
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Sorsa IV cabinet|Sorsa IV]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 45
| image             = Nordiskt_statsministermote_under_Nordiska_radets_session_i_Helsingfors_(4).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Ole Norrback]]
| born_year         = 1941
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 30 April 1987
| term_end          = 13 June 1990
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and days|1987|4|30|1990|6|13}}
| alt_party         = Swedish People's Party of Finland
| cabinet  = [[Holkeri cabinet|Holkeri]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 46
| image             = Elisabeth_Rehn_1993.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Elisabeth Rehn]]
| born_year         = 1935
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 13 June 1990
| term_end          = 1 January 1995
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and days|1990|6|13|1995|1|1}}
| alt_party         = Swedish People's Party of Finland
| cabinet  = [[Holkeri cabinet|Holkeri]] <br> [[Aho cabinet|Aho]] 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 47
| image             = Enestam.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Jan-Erik Enestam]]
| born_year         = 1947
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 2 January 1995
| term_end          = 13 April 1995
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and days|1995|1|2|1995|4|13}}
| alt_party         = Swedish People's Party of Finland
| cabinet  =  [[Aho cabinet|Aho]] 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = 48
| image             = Anneli_Taina_1998.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Anneli Taina]]
| born_year         = 1951
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 13 April 1995
| term_end          = 15 April 1999
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and days|1995|4|13|1999|4|15}}
| alt_party         = National Coalition Party
| cabinet  =  [[Paavo Lipponen's first cabinet|Lipponen I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2            = (47)
| image             = Enestam.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Jan-Erik Enestam]]
| born_year         = 1947
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 15 April 1999
| term_end          = 17 April 2003
| timeinoffice      = {{age in years and days|1999|4|15|2003|4|17}}
| alt_party         = Swedish People's Party of Finland
| cabinet  =  [[Paavo Lipponen's second cabinet|Lipponen II]] 
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 49
| image= Matti_Vanhanen_2017_06.jpg
| term_start= 17 April 2003
| term_end = 24 June 2003
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2003|4|17|2003|6|24}}
| officeholder= [[Matti Vanhanen]]
| born_year= 1955
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Anneli Jäätteenmäki's cabinet|Jäätteenmäki]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 50
| image= Defense.gov_News_Photo_040419-D-2987S-004.jpg
| term_start= 24 June 2003
| term_end = 19 April 2007
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2003|6|24|2007|4|19}}
| officeholder= [[Seppo Kääriäinen]]
| born_year= 1948
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Matti Vanhanen's first cabinet|Vanhanen I]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 51
| image= Jyri_Häkämies.jpg
| term_start= 19 April 2007
| term_end = 22 June 2011
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2007|4|19|2011|6|22}}
| officeholder= [[Jyri Häkämies]]
| born_year= 1961
| died_year= 
| alt_party= National Coalition Party
| cabinet= [[Matti Vanhanen's second cabinet|Vanhanen II]] <br> [[Mari Kiviniemi's cabinet|Kiviniemi]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 52
| image= Stefan_Wallin_at_the_Pentagon_May_10_2012_crop.jpg
| term_start= 22 June 2011
| term_end = 5 July 2012
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2011|6|22|2012|7|5}}
| officeholder= [[Stefan Wallin]]
| born_year= 1967
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Swedish People's Party of Finland
| cabinet= [[Jyrki Katainen's cabinet|Katainen]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 53
| image= Carl_Haglund.jpg
| term_start= 5 July 2012
| term_end = 29 May 2015
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2012|7|5|2015|5|29}}
| officeholder= [[Carl Haglund]]
| born_year= 1979
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Swedish People's Party of Finland
| cabinet= [[Jyrki Katainen's cabinet|Katainen]] <br> [[Alexander Stubb's cabinet|Stubb]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 54
| image= Jussi_Niinistö.jpg
| term_start= 29 May 2015
| term_end = 6 June 2019
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2015|5|29|2019|6|6}}
| officeholder= [[Jussi Niinistö]]
| born_year= 1970
| died_year= 
| alt_party= True Finns 
| cabinet= [[Juha Sipilä's cabinet|Sipilä]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 55
| image= Antti Kaikkonen 2019.jpg
| term_start= 6 June 2019
| term_end = 5 January 2023
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2019|6|6|2023|1|5}}
| officeholder= [[Antti Kaikkonen]]
| born_year= 1974
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Rinne cabinet|Rinne]] <br> [[Marin Cabinet|Marin]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 56
| image= Mikko-Savola official portrait 2023.jpg
| term_start= 5 January 2023
| term_end =  28 February 2023
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2023|1|5|2023|2|28}}
| officeholder= [[Mikko Savola]]
| born_year= 1981
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Marin Cabinet|Marin]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = (55)
| image= Antti Kaikkonen 2019.jpg
| term_start= 28 February 2023
| term_end = 20 June 2023
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2023|2|28|2023|6|20}}
| officeholder= [[Antti Kaikkonen]]
| born_year= 1974
| died_year= 
| alt_party= Centre Party (Finland)
| cabinet= [[Marin Cabinet|Marin]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order2 = 57
| image= Antti-Häkkänen-01 (cropped).jpg
| term_start= 20 June 2023
| term_end= ''Incumbent''
| timeinoffice= {{age in years and days|2023|6|20}}
| officeholder= [[Antti Häkkänen]]
| born_year= 1985
| died_year=
| alt_party= National Coalition Party
| cabinet= [[Orpo Cabinet|Orpo]]
}}
{{Officeholder table end}}

==See also==
* [[Minister of Defence]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.defmin.fi/english The Ministry of Defence of Finland]

{{Finnish Defence Forces}}

[[Category:Ministers of defence of Finland|-]]
[[Category:Military of Finland]]
[[Category:Lists of government ministers of Finland|Defence]]
[[Category:NATO defence ministers|Finland]]