The mission of the Ministry is to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate strategic defence policy for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) that is effective and fostered within a framework of democratic governance. 

The Deputy Minister of Defence is the head of the Ministry and is assisted by a civilian Director-General (DG) and the Military Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), neither being subordinate to the other. Their roles reflect the importance of both civilian and military advice on political, financial, administrative and operational matters.

Specifically, the DG is accountable to parliament for expenditure of all public money voted for defence purposes while the CDS is the professional head of the Armed Forces in Sierra Leone and the principal adviser to Defence Ministers and Government.

Both the DG and CDS have civilian and military Advisers to assist them in the further development of the Ministry. The DG is supported by two Deputy Secretaries, one in charge of Finance and Administration, whilst the other is in charge of Policy and Procurement. The CDS on the other hand is supported by three Assistant Chiefs of Defence Staff, one in charge of Operations and Plans, one in charge of Support and Logistics and the other in charge of Personnel and Training. They jointly manage the day-to-day business of the Ministry.

The project currently being undertaken by the Ministry of Defence is the Operation Pebu. This is aimed at providing accommodation for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). It entails the refurbishment of old structures as well as the construction of new structures at selected green field sites at strategic areas around the country. Work is currently ongoing and it is hoped that affordable accommodation will be provided for the Armed Forces in the very near future.

Presently, with funding from the Indian government a pre-fab Housing Project is under construction at Benguema, Murray Town and Wilberforce barracks. This project when completed will provide housing for about 400 service personnel.

Additionally, the Chinese government has sponsored the construction of the ‘Boom Defence’ Naval Base for the RSLAF at Kingtom.

In response to appeals by the Secretary General of the United Nations, and the Government of Sierra Leone to the international community for assistance in the area of Logistic support to the RSLAF, the Swiss government has donated 260 vehicles (130 Pinzgauers and 130 Styrs). The United Kingdom government has funded the procurement of 43 Mercedes Benz Atego trucks (Troops Carrying Vehicles), and HF Communication equipments together with spares for the RSLAF.

The Peoples Republic of China too, has donated a Patrol Boat, 2 x Ambulances and 2 x Water Bowsers to the RSLAF.

The Sierra Leone Government has funded the procurement of 8 Land Rovers, and 12 Toyota Land Cruisers for the RSLAF.

This development has considerably increased the operational capability of the RSLAF allowing the force not only to deliver on its national military tasks, but with capacity to provide vehicle logistic support to ECOWAS Peace Support Operations.

The RSLAF can now boast of its own military academy of very high standards. The Horton Academy established on the outskirt of Freetown in 2003 provides military operational and staff training for officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). The academy is staffed by officers of the International Military Advisory and Training Team (IMATT), RSLAF officers. Training instruction is based on British Army doctrine, tactics and staff studies.

The annual curriculum of the academy consists of two Junior Staff Courses, a Company Commanders Course, a Lieutenant Colonels Command & Staff Course, and Peace Support Operations courses. Approximately one hundred and fifty officers undergo training at the academy each year.

As stability and peace continue to be consolidated in Sierra Leone, the RSLAF is poised to participate and contribute to wider and international peace support operations. To this end the RSLAF has targeted 2007 as the base year to initiate a Company for Peace Support Operations in ECOWAS, AU and the UN. This would be gradually increased to a battalion strength by 2010. As a demonstration of this desire, a Peace Support Operations Course has been introduced into the curriculum of the Horton Military Academy in Freetown. The course is intended to enhance capacity building, and to train and prepare officers of the RSLAF for their future role and participation in the international peace support operations, and especially for the proposed West African Peace Keeping Force.

The RSLAF has been very active in complementing the efforts of government in the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The RSLAF HIV/AIDS programme has been very proactive and successful in its campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS within and among soldiers, their spouses and dependants, and the general public.

At the height of the civil war there was an increase in the number of combatants admitted with HIV/AIDS related symptoms, like profuse diarrhea, persistent fever, chest pains and tuberculosis.

Since then a massive campaign launched has reduced the incidence of HIV/AIDS. The RSLAF HIV/AIDS programme has achieved the following: