Nordic Air Defence (NAD), the Stockholm-based defence technology startup developing autonomous counter-drone systems, has appointed The Right Honourable James Heappey and its Head of Product Nicholas Högasten to its board as it accelerates its expansion across European defence markets. The company is building the K100XR interceptor designed to neutralise low-cost, low-flying drones threatening critical infrastructure and military assets. The appointments strengthen both its strategic positioning and its technical governance at a pivotal stage of growth.
Nordic Air Defence (NAD) is building next-generation air defence systems designed to counter the growing threat of low-cost, low-flying drones across both civilian and military environments. Operating as a full-stack hardware–software company, NAD combines expertise in electronics, mechanical design, embedded systems, AI, and software engineering to deliver scalable, mission-ready solutions. Its flagship product, the K100XR interceptor, is a high-speed, autonomous system designed for cost-effective, “fire-and-forget” drone interception, enabling customers to defend critical infrastructure and assets at scale. With a team drawn from leading defence, aerospace, and technology companies, NAD is positioning itself at the intersection of rapid innovation and modern defence procurement, aiming to make advanced air defence capabilities more accessible, adaptable, and deployable across Europe and allied markets.
For NAD, Heappey’s arrival brings direct experience from senior UK defence and procurement roles, including his tenure as Minister of State for the Armed Forces and Minister for Defence Procurement, which the company expects will help it navigate complex acquisition pathways across the UK, EU, and NATO-aligned structures. His focus will be on supporting NAD’s engagement with European procurement systems and accelerating its access to defence acceleration programmes and pilot initiatives. At the same time, Högasten’s board role formalises the transition of deep product leadership into governance, reinforcing continuity between engineering execution and long-term strategy.
After a military career spanning 9 years, Heappey turned to politics, serving as the Conservative MP for Wells between 2015 and 2024. During his tenure, he held positions within the Ministry of Defence as both Minister of State for the Armed Forces and Minister for Defence Procurement. Following his exit from frontline politics in 2024, Heappey now holds multiple advisory positions at the likes of Serco, Helsing, and AECOM, as well as being the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at M&C Saatchi World Services.
Heappey’s mandate at Nordic Air Defence is to strengthen the company’s strategic positioning across European defence procurement ecosystems, spanning the United Kingdom, EU member states, and relevant NATO structures. In this role, he will guide Nordic Air Defence’s engagement with European procurement systems, and provide strategic advice on procurement pathways, innovation channels, and accelerated acquisition mechanisms.
He will also contribute to strengthening Nordic Air Defence’s position within emerging European defence acceleration initiatives and support the company’s long-term market entry strategy across key European jurisdictions. His appointment is intended to accelerate Nordic Air Defence’s integration into formal European procurement tracks, pilot programmes, and strategic defence partnerships, reinforcing the company’s ability to participate in and contribute to the evolving European defence landscape.
Nicholas Högasten currently serves as Head of Product at Nordic Air Defence, where he leads the development and product strategy for the company’s next-generation air defence systems. In this role, he is responsible for translating operational requirements into scalable, mission-ready solutions, guiding product architecture, and ensuring the company’s technology roadmap aligns with evolving defence needs and deployment realities.
NAD Board Member James Heappey: “It is energising to be involved with a company that is driving frontline innovation in Europe at a time when it is needed more than ever. The war in Ukraine has shown with absolute clarity the urgency of accelerating capability development and ensuring that the right technologies reach the frontline without delay. Speed and adaptability are absolutely essential. For early-stage and rapidly growing companies like NAD, one of the greatest barriers to progress is navigating procurement systems that are often far more accessible to large, established primes. Ensuring that innovators can get their foot in the door is the only way we can deliver the pace of innovation required to meet the evolving threat environment and ensure Europe’s armed forces have access to the most effective capabilities when they need them most.”
His appointment to the board brings deep expertise in defence technology, sensing systems, and complex product development. Nicholas’s hands-on experience leading advanced engineering programmes strengthens the board’s ability to guide technology strategy, support the transition from development to scaled production, and ensure Nordic Air Defence continues to deliver effective, operationally relevant capabilities as it grows.
Nordic Air Defence CEO Karl Rosander: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome James to the Board. It’s rare to bring in someone with such deep, first-hand recent experience from senior leadership roles within a modern defence ministry, and who truly understands how modern defence systems are developed, procured, and deployed under real operational pressure. His perspective and credibility, drawing on his active duty in the British Army, will have an immediate and meaningful impact on our ability to navigate complex procurement environments and engage with the right stakeholders at the highest levels.”
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Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/nordic-air-defence-appoints-james-heappey-nicholas-hogasten/
