Harald Sunde (general)

Harald Sunde (born March 8, 1944) is a retired Norwegian Army general. He served as Chief of Defence of Norway from November 1, 2009, to November 8, 2013.

Sunde's military career began with officer training, followed by various command and staff positions within the Norwegian Army. He held leadership roles at multiple levels, demonstrating expertise in areas such as operations, planning, and resource management. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Defence, he served as the Director General of the Defence Staff.

As Chief of Defence, Sunde was responsible for the overall command, control, and administration of the Norwegian Armed Forces. His tenure coincided with a period of significant change and modernization within the Norwegian military, involving adjustments to force structure, procurement of new equipment, and adaptations to evolving security threats. He oversaw Norway's participation in international operations and collaborations, including NATO exercises and deployments.

Sunde retired from the military in 2013, handing over the role of Chief of Defence to his successor. Since his retirement, he has occasionally provided commentary and analysis on defense and security matters.