Former Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström joins Nordic Air Defence

Former Swedish foreign minister Tobias Billström has joined Swedish defence tech startup Nordic Air Defence (NAD) as Director of Strategy and Government Affairs, his first full-time role since leaving frontline politics last year. 

Nordic Air Defence is a Stockholm-headquartered company developing high-tech defensive solutions for both civilian and military use. NAD is a true hardware-software company focused on electronics, mechanical design, embedded systems, software engineering, and AI.

The team includes veterans from Anduril, Palantir, Teledyne FLIR, Kratos, FOI (the Swedish Defence Research Agency), Acast, Zipline, SAAB, and Quantum Systems. 

Billström held multiple ministerial offices during a political career spanning three decades, most notably Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Migration. He also held key political roles such as Parliamentary Group Leader of the Moderate Party as well as First Deputy Speaker.  At NAD, Billström will continue his career of public service: advocating for a stronger Europe in the face of renewed, ever present threats.

He will lead NAD’s engagement with governments, defence departments, and security organisations, utilising his decades of experience and diplomacy for a safer Europe. Billström will work across the entire company and be operationally involved in NAD’s wider activities. 

As European nations refocus efforts on border defence and protection of key infrastructure, NAD's Kreuger 100XR, its flagship technology, a high-speed kinetic interceptor with an optional warhead, has emerged as a frontrunner to solve the global issue of drone warfare. The current reality that drones can destabilise entire blocs, causing death as well as deep strategic and logistical problems, has revived regional geopolitical instability. 

Kreuger 100XR: AI-powered, high-speed anti-drone interceptor

Made in Sweden, patent pending, the Kreuger 100XR is a high-speed kinetic interceptor with an optional warhead, designed for maximum flexibility and performance. Featuring a fixed-wing design, it offers an intercept range of 5+ km with high manoeuvrability, with future versions planned to extend its range and introduce foldable wings. Its embedded AI enables “fire-and-forget” operation with autonomous detection, classification, and tracking, while continuous ground control is available in radio frequency-stable environments.

Equipped with an integrated thermal infrared seeker, the system can operate in radio-silent autonomous mode when needed. The K100XR’s stackable form factor allows seamless integration onto various platforms and vessels, and its versatile launch mechanism supports deployment from the ground, handheld units, vehicles, boats, and even airborne systems. 

By cutting much of the hardware previously required by drone interceptors, and replacing it with software, the Kreuger 100XR is ten times cheaper to produce per unit than conventional anti-drone technology, such as interceptors or missiles. This allows for mass manufacturing, and results in customers being able to scale their arsenals of interceptors to meet threats. It is battery-powered and extremely lightweight for optimum portability. 

According to NAD Director of Strategy and Government Affairs Tobias Billström:

“I am energised to start at Nordic Air Defence. From when I first met the senior team and discussed the prospect of joining, I instantly had a deep alignment with the company mission.

Our Swedish ethos of Total Defence — that by mobilising all of society, contributing in their own way, national security can be achieved — are central to NAD’s founding principles."

He asserts that it's impossible to ignore the very real threats to national security:

"We must urgently get the best technology to market in order to deliver a safer Europe. In a world of bad actors, we must ensure our allies have the best defensive technology to protect lives and safeguard critical infrastructure.” 

Nordic Air Defence CEO Karl Rosander shared:

“We are delighted to welcome Tobias to Nordic Air Defence. His knowledge and appreciation of the global political and defence landscapes will complement our mission to contribute to a safer and more stable world.

His experience is unrivalled, and we share a great sense of purpose and public service. Tobias will enable NAD to cut through the noise and deliver our life-saving technology to our allies.” 

Lead image: Tobias Billström (Director of Strategy and Government Affairs) and Karl Rosander (CEO) Nordic Air Defence. Photo: uncredited.