[3] The currently-appointed minister is Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, replacing Prabowo Subianto, who was elected President, on 21 October 2024.

[6] During the time of the First Sjahrir Cabinet, the function of the state defense was also under the authority of the Minister of Public Security, held by Mr. Amir Sjarifuddin.

In the period of the First Hatta Cabinet, when the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia was in an emergency state due to the pressure of the Dutch forces, the Vice President Mohammad Hatta served as interim minister of defense.

In the First Development Cabinet, the Minister of Defense and Security was held by the Indonesian President Gen. Suharto.

In 1985, as part of a wide reorganization of the armed forces, military appointments to the posts of ministers and below began to phased out, allowing retired officers and civilians to serve in the ministry, and operational control over the Armed Forces was passed directly to the office of the President.