Kivinen appointed as new defense commander

Lieutenant general Timo Kivinen was appointed on Wednesday as the commander of Finnish Defense Forces.

His five-year tenure begins in August.

The incumbent commander Jarmo Lindberg did not apply for an extension and will retire.

The appointment was delayed until the country got a political government following the parliamentary election in April this year.

During Kivinen's term, Finland will face the decision to choose a successor to the aging Hornet F18 jet fighters.

Local observers have said the decision will be based both on technological requirements and on political considerations. Competing for the order are the F-35 and Super Hornet from the U.S., the French Rafale, the joint European Eurofighter Typhoon and the Swedish Gripen.

Kivinen, aged 59, is currently the head of the Finnish High Command. Besides Finland, he has studied in Britain, the U.S. and Sweden.

Finnish local media noted that Kivinen also speaks Russian, which is not very common in Finland. Early during his career, Kivinen completed a U.S. special forces Airborne and Ranger course, where a half dropped out.

Finland is one of the few countries in Western Europe that has maintained universal conscription, with a civilian option for conscientious objectors. Finland says it is able to mobilize 280,000 reservists within two days.