Minister of the Armies (France)

The Minister of the Armies (Ministre des Armées) is the official in charge of the Ministry of the Armies in the Governement of the French Republic, charged with running the French Armed Forces.

The minister in charge of the Armed Forces has evolved within the epoque and regimes. The Secretary of State of War was one of the four specialised secretaries of state established in France in 1589. This State Secretary was responsible for the French Army (similarly, the Naval Ministers of France and the Colonies was created in 1669). In 1791, the Secretary of State of War became Minister of War, with this ministerial function being abolished in 1794 and re-established in 1795. Since 1930, the position was often referred to as Minister of War and National Defence. In 1947, two years after World War II, the ministry merged with the Ministry of the Navy and the Ministry of Air (created in 1930), while being headed by a Minister of National Defence responsible for the French Armed Forces, often referred to as Minister of the Armies and since 1947 until 2017, designated as Minister of Defence.

Based on the governments, they may be assisted by a state secretary for veterans' affairs.

The position is currently held by Florence Parly.

French Fourth Republic
Ministre of Armed Forces :
 * 21 November 1945 - 24 June 1946 : Edmond Michelet

Minister of National Defence :
 * 24 June 1946 - 16 December 1946 : Félix Gouin
 * 16 December 1946 - 22 January 1947 : André Le Troquer
 * 22 January 1947 - 4 May 1947 : François Billoux
 * 4 May 1947 - 22 October 1947 : Yvon Delbos (by interim)

Ministre of the Armed Forces :
 * 24 June 1946 - 16 December 1946 : Edmond Michelet

Minister of War :
 * 22 January 1947 - 22 October 1947 : Paul Coste-Floret

Minister of the Navy :
 * 22 January 1947 - 22 October 1947 : Louis Jacquinot

Minister of the Air Force :
 * 22 January 1947 - 22 October 1947 :

Minister of National Defence :
 * 22 October 1947 - 26 July 1948 : Pierre-Henri Teitgen
 * 26 July 1948 - 11 September 1948 : René Mayer
 * 11 September 1948 - 28 October 1949 : Paul Ramadier
 * 28 October 1949 - 12 July 1950 : René Pleven
 * 12 July 1950 - 11 August 1951 : Jules Moch
 * 11 August 1951 - 8 March 1952 : Georges Bidault
 * 8 March 1952 - 8 January 1953 : René Pleven

Minister of Natinonal Defence and the Armed Forces :
 * 8 January 1953 - 19 June 1954 : René Pleven
 * 19 June 1954 - 14 August 1954 : Marie-Pierre Kœnig
 * 14 August 1954 - 20 January 1955  – By interim until 3 September 1954

Minister of National Defence :
 * 20 January 1955 - 23 February 1955 : Jacques Chevallier

Ministre of the Armed Forces :
 * 20 January 1955 - 23 February 1955 : Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury

Minister of National Defence and the Armed Forces:
 * 23 February 1955 - 6 October 1955 : Pierre Kœnig
 * 6 October 1955 - 1 February 1956 : Pierre Billotte

Minister of National Defence:
 * 1 February 1956 - 13 June 1957 : Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury

Minister of National Defence and the Armed Forces:
 * 13 June 1957 - 6 November 1957 : André Morice
 * 6 November 1957 - 14 May 1958 : Jacques Chaban-Delmas

Minister of the Armed Forces :
 * 14 May 1958 - 1 June 1958 : Pierre de Chevigné

Minister of National Defence :
 * 1 June 1958 - 8 January 1959 : Charles de Gaulle

Minister of the Armed Forces :
 * 1 June 1958 - 5 February 1960 : Pierre Guillaumat (1909-1991)

French Fifth Republic
Minister of the Armed Forces:
 * 8 January 1959 – 5 February 1960: Pierre Guillaumat
 * 5 February 1960 – 22 June 1969: Pierre Messmer

Minister of National Defence:
 * 22 June 1969 – 4 April 1973: Michel Debré

Minister of the Armed Forces:
 * 4 April 1973 – 28 May 1974: Robert Galley

Minister of the Armies:
 * 17 May–19 June 2017: Sylvie Goulard
 * 21 June 2017–present: Florence Parly