National Security and Defence Council
| Këshilli Kombëtar i Sigurisë dhe Mbrojtjes | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 31 March 1993 |
| Type | National security council Supreme command |
| Jurisdiction | Austeria |
| Headquarters | Kartha, Austeria |
| Agency executives |
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| Child agencies | |
The National Security and Defence Council (Tethian: Këshilli Kombëtar i Sigurisë dhe Mbrojtjes: abbr. KKSM) is the unified governing body responsible for security and defence affairs in Austeria. Although the President is ultimately responsible as commander in chief, the Four Amendments to the 1990 Constitution specifies that all major issues related to national security and defence should be deliberated by the Council. As the highest state institution for national defence and security, the State Security Service and the Austerian Armed Forces both report to the Council. Although the Council constitutionally only serves as an advisory council to the President, in reality it hosts significant sway over defence and security policy and its exercise thereof in Austeria. According to many academics, the KKSM is the "nucleus" of Trident, the security and defence establishment that forms a deep state within Austeria. The KKSM's existence is enshrined in the constitutional reforms of 1997 as the successor to the Central Military Commission of the Austerian Labour Party.