# Lars Lervik takes over as head of Norway's intelligence service

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service
- Published: 2026-09-24 · Updated: 2026-09-25
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Country: norway
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/lars-lervik-takes-over-as-head-of-norways-intelligence-service.md)
- Primary source: https://www.etterretningstjenesten.no/aktuelt/aktuelt/lars-lervik-tiltrer-som-sjef-e
- Tags: norge, etterretningstjenesten, norwegian intelligence service, lars lervik, nils andreas stensønes, norwegian army, brigade nord, ministry of defence, norway

> Lieutenant General Lars Lervik took over as head of the Norwegian Intelligence Service on 24 September 2026, after leading the Norwegian Army since 2020. He succeeds Nils Andreas Stensønes and is the first to serve the new six-year term.

![Lieutenant-General Lars Lervik](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/e886f8bc-827d-433e-edb0-7c48cad56000/public)
*Lieutenant-General Lars Lervik · Etterretningstjenesten*

**Lieutenant General Lars Lervik formally [took over](https://www.etterretningstjenesten.no/aktuelt/aktuelt/lars-lervik-tiltrer-som-sjef-e) as chief of the Norwegian Intelligence Service (*Etterretningstjenesten*) on 24 September 2026. He replaced Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes, who had led the service since 2020.**

Lervik had been Chief of the Norwegian Army since 2020. The government [appointed him](https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/lars-lervik-becomes-new-head-of-norways-intelligence-service) on 7 August and promoted him from major general, as previously covered by NDS.

According to the Norwegian Intelligence Service, it now has significantly more customers and requests. It links this to changes in the global security situation in recent years.

"The world will probably remain turbulent and unstable, so the Intelligence Service's mission will only become more important," Lervik said. He said his first priority is getting to know the organisation and the people who work there.

Lervik has also commanded Brigade Nord. At the Ministry of Defence, he headed the section for national security policy, crisis management and preparedness.

The post is now a fixed six-year term. This follows a legal change for senior military officers that took effect on 1 January 2026.

## FAQ

**When did Lars Lervik officially take over as head of Norway's Intelligence Service?**

Lieutenant General Lars Lervik formally took over as chief of the Norwegian Intelligence Service on 24 September 2026. The government had appointed him on 7 August, promoting him from major general. He previously served as Chief of the Norwegian Army since 2020. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-24.

**Who did Lars Lervik replace as chief of the Norwegian Intelligence Service?**

Lervik replaced Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes, who had led the Norwegian Intelligence Service since 2020. Lervik takes over amid what the service describes as significantly more customers and requests, linked to changes in the global security situation. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-24.

**What changed regarding the length of the Intelligence Service chief's term of office?**

The post of Intelligence Service chief is now a fixed six-year term, following a legal change for senior military officers that took effect on 1 January 2026. This marks a structural shift in how the leadership tenure is defined. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-24.

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