Wikman is currently deputy operations manager. He takes over the post of air force chief from Major General Carl-Johan Edström, who will be promoted to lieutenant general and become head of the Armed Forces’ operations management.
“It is a great honor and privilege to lead the Air Force in this troubled time when the need for our capability and the development of our future capability is more important than in a very long time,” Wikman said in a statement.
Wikman did his military service in 1991 and has since held several managerial positions within the Armed Forces. He has a pilot background and has flown both the Draken and the Gripen as well as served as a flight instructor.
He has also carried out international operations in Afghanistan as a senior advisor to the Afghan Air Force.