After retirement from Norwegian Army, Geir Engen joined Holtan + Partners in 2025 as a Senior Advisor

Geir Engen is a seasoned expert in policy development, defence industry cooperation, and defence research, with over a decade of experience spanning the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, the Ministry of Defence, and the European Commission.

From 2013 to 2018, he served as a Senior Staff Officer in the Ministry of Defence in Oslo, contributing to Norway’s 2016 long-term defence plan. He also managed Norway’s involvement in NATO’s Conference of National Armaments Directors and other government-to-government materiel cooperation initiatives.

In 2019, Geir joined the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment while continuing his work with the Ministry of Defence. He coordinated Norway’s defence industry participation in the Joint Strike Fighter programme and played a key role in developing and implementing a parliament-approved defence industry strategy. He also led the establishment of national procedures and initiatives for the European Defence Fund.

Between 2022 and 2024, he served as a national expert at the European Commission, supporting the implementation of the European Defence Fund and contributing to flagship EU defence initiatives such as ASAP and EDIRPA.

Before 2013, Geir gained NATO experience through a four-year posting at Allied Command Transformation Headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia. He also spentover seven years at the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, where he specialized in logistics and procurement procedures.

His operational experience includes roles in Brigade Nord, serving as a maintenance officer and at a Army air defence unit. In 2006, he deployed to Afghanistan as a liaison officer for the National Contingent Command.

Geir holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, as well as an Executive Master of Management from BI Norwegian Business School and training from the Defence Staff College in Norway.

‍