Austrian Minister of Defence (Austria-Hungary)

The Austrian Minister of Defence (German: k.u.k. Kriegsminister) was the head of the Ministry of War of Austria-Hungary, specifically responsible for the armed forces of Cisleithania (the Austrian half of the Dual Monarchy). This position existed from the formation of Austria-Hungary in 1867 until the dissolution of the empire in 1918.

The Minister of Defence was appointed by the Emperor of Austria, who was also the Supreme Commander of the armed forces. The Minister was responsible for the administration, organization, and equipping of the Austrian army, including matters of conscription, training, logistics, and military justice. While the Minister oversaw the Austrian army, the Common Army (German: Gemeinsame Armee), which was the army shared by both Austria and Hungary, was under the direct control of the Emperor and administered through a separate structure. The Hungarian army, or Honvéd (Hungarian: Magyar Királyi Honvédség), had its own Ministry of Defence in Budapest.

The Austrian Minister of Defence worked in close collaboration with the other ministers responsible for military affairs in Austria-Hungary: the Hungarian Minister of Defence (for the Honvéd), and the Imperial and Royal Minister of War (for the Common Army and the Imperial and Royal Navy). The Minister of Defence was accountable to the Austrian Reichsrat (parliament). The position held significant importance within the Austrian government, particularly during times of war or heightened international tension.