Major General Lars Sivert Lervik has been appointed as the new head of the Norwegian Intelligence Service, Etterretningstjenesten. He thereby succeeds Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes, who is leaving the post after six years.
According to a press release from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, Lervik was appointed Lieutenant General on 7 August in connection with his appointment as head of Etterretningstjenesten. Since 1 January 2026, the position has been a six-year appointment following a legislative change concerning military officials.
Lervik has served as head of the Norwegian Army since 2020 and has previously held positions including commander of Brigade Nord and head of the section for national security policy, crisis management and preparedness at the Ministry of Defence.
In a press release from the Norwegian Armed Forces (Forsvaret), Lervik says he is looking forward to the new assignment.
"I am very grateful for the trust placed in me. Etterretningstjenesten is a very well-run and competent organisation, and I truly look forward to leading and further developing its operations," he says.
Chief of Defence General Eirik Kristoffersen welcomes the appointment.
"I am convinced that Etterretningstjenesten has got the right leader to guide and further develop the organisation," he says in the Norwegian Armed Forces' press release.
Lervik will take up the position at a time to be determined by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence.