Template:Principal political leaders of the British Armed Forces
| Royal Navy | British Army | Royal Air Force | Co-ordination | |
| 1628 | First Lord of the Admiralty (1628–1964) |
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| 1794 | Secretary of State for War (1794–1801) |
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| 1801 | Secretary of State for War and the Colonies (1801–1854) |
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| 1854 | Secretary of State for War (1854–1964) |
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| 1919 | Secretary of State for Air (1919–1964) |
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| 1936 | Minister for Co-ordination of Defence (1936–1940) | |||
| 1940 | Minister of Defence (1940–1964) | |||
| 1964 | Secretary of State for Defence (1964–present) | |||