Responsibilities
The Ministry of Defence is responsible for defence policy, national security and oversight of the Royal Defence Forces of Links Land.
Constitutional authority
The armed forces operate under the ultimate authority of Parliament and the Constitutional Court. The Monarch is the ceremonial Commander-in-Chief and has no operational control. Operational command rests with the Minister of Defence, while the Chief of Defence Staff oversees daily military operations.
How Defence works
The Ministry converts decisions of the elected government and Parliament into defence policy, sets priorities for the services and monitors readiness. Civil servants provide policy, finance, legal and communications support alongside military advisers.
Public accountability
Defence activity is reported through ministerial statements, published policy and parliamentary scrutiny. Operational details may be withheld where publication would create a genuine security risk, but that does not remove the duty to account for spending, lawfulness and outcomes.