In presenting Osterman with the major general insignia, Pahor highlighted that the new army chief will be tasked with steering the army in tough financial times.

"With your powers as general you will have to face the unfavourable conditions with a focus on ensuring readiness of the army and its ability to contribute to international peace and stability," said the president.

Pahor said the Slovenian Armed Forces enjoyed a strong image at home and was recognised as an important contributor abroad. "It is your job to ensure that this remains unchanged," he said.

Osterman becomes Slovenia's eighth general after he was promoted by the government from brigadier general to major general on 29 October.

The government appointed Osterman the new chief of the general staff on 9 October to replace Major General Dobran Božič, who will become become the defence adviser of Slovenian Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.

Osterman, who had been Božič's deputy since April 2012, took over on 13 October.

Born in 1960, Osterman became brigadier general, an officer rank, in 2009 and was the deputy chief of the general staff since April 2012.

He served several high-ranking posts before that, including from 2009 to 2012 as the deputy commander of the SAF force command, and the commander of the SAF support command from 2008 to 2009.

He was the national representative to the NATO Committee for Standardisation (2005-2008) and the national representative to national advisory group for NATO (2008-2009).