The position must be filled by 1st July 2012. General Knud Bartels’ tenure as chief of defence expires on 30 April 2012. His present obligations as chief of defence will therefore not be affected, in case he is elected to the post.

The election of a new chairman will be taken by a secret vote among the NATO chiefs of defence in connection with their meeting on 17 September 2011. The chairman is elected for a three-year term with a possibility of extension.