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.

When the position was originally established in 1918, it was called the minister of war (Sõjaminister).

[1] The post was renamed minister of defence on April 1, 1929, but would change back to minister of war in 1937.

Though the name of the position, and subsequently the ministry, was changed, the main responsibilities of the position remained virtually same.

Since Estonia regained its independence in 1991 the post has been known as the minister of defence.