Forsvarsdepartement) is a Norwegian government ministry in charge of the formation and implementation of national security and defence policy, and for the overall management and control of the activities of subordinate agencies.

[citation needed] On behalf of the Secretary General, the secretariat prepares, quality-assures, coordinates and priorities all issues that are submitted to the Minister.

The unit provides support both to the Minister and senior staff, both political and administrative, and to the Chief of Defence.

The Department of Personnel and General Services spans over a range of different professional areas, some administrative and some more related to aspects of development.

Some of the department's tasks are purely internal while others, for example personnel policy and common legal services, entail responsibilities across the sector as a whole.