Chief of the Navy (Norway)

The Chief of the Navy (Sjef Sjøforsvaret) is the Commander–in–chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy.

The Chief of the Navy is head over the Navy, Coast Guard, and Coastal Artillery. Presiding over close to 5,000 military men during peacetime and over 6,000 in wartime, the Chief of the Navy has great responsibility to lead and defend. With the seas under his discretion, the Inspector General watches over the seas which are seven times greater in area than that of Norway's mainland.

The Chief not only commands the naval department, he also accepts new vessels into the department.

List of chiefs

 * Commanding Admiral


 * Chief of the Navy


 * General Inspector for the Navy
 * 1970–1974: Hans Skjong
 * 1974–1976: Oddmund Peder Åkenes
 * 1976–1980: Charles Oluf Herlofson
 * 1980–1983: Roy Breivik
 * 1983–1989: Bjarne Grimstvedt
 * 1989–1992: Rolf Eilhardt Pedersen
 * 1992–1995: Kjell Amund Prytz
 * 1995–2000: Hans Kristian Svensholt
 * 2000–2003: Kjell-Birger Olsen
 * 2003–2008: Jan Eirik Finseth
 * 2008–2011: Haakon Bruun-Hanssen
 * 2011–2014: Bernt Grimstvedt
 * 2014–2017: Lars Saunes


 * Chief of the Navy