The Central Staff is based in The Hague and develops the Defence policy. In broad terms, it directs the Ministry of Defence’s activities, allocates the Defence budget and monitors Defence spending. The commanders of the armed forces Services ensure that Defence policy is implemented. The Central Staff also advises the Minister of Defence, in his or her capacity as a member of the Cabinet. The Minister of Defence is responsible for the overall Defence policy. The Secretary-General is responsible for civil leadership duties. The Chief of Defence is the most important military adviser to the Minister of Defence and supervises the commanders of the Navy, Army, Air Force, Joint Support Command, Materiel and IT Command, Defence Cyber Command and Special Operations Command.
