Torbjörn Sahlén Becomes Sweden's First NATO General

Brigadier General Torbjörn Sahlén has been selected as Sweden's first NATO General by NATO's Military Committee. After a vote where three candidates were available, the Swedish candidate was chosen by a good margin. Sahlén, currently Deputy Chief of the Strategy Unit at the Defence Staff, will assume his new position in January, writes the Swedish Armed Forces on their website.

– It feels really exciting. I have held various positions in Brussels for ten years before my current position, and it will be really fun to return to Brussels, says Torbjörn Sahlén in the agency's article, who will assume the new position in January 2025.

– It is important for the membership that we integrate into NATO's structures and important for knowledge dissemination, he continues.

In his new role, the Brigadier General will assume the position of Deputy Director Operations and Planning (O&P) Division at NATO Headquarters. Major General Johan Pekkari, head of the Strategy Unit, looks forward to the positive contribution to the alliance.

– I cannot imagine a better representative for Sweden and the Swedish Armed Forces, it will also be really good for the alliance. Torbjörn will remain at the Strategy Unit until he assumes the new position, says Major General Johan Pekkari, head of the Strategy Unit.

NATO's Military Committee is the organization's highest military body and is tasked with advising the North Atlantic Council on military matters. The committee is led by Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer. Brigadier General Sahlén will assume his new position in January 2025, writes the Swedish Armed Forces.