Rear Admiral Nils Johan Holte
Expert
Retired Rear Admiral (OF-7) and former Commander of the Norwegian Special Operations Forces (NORSOF) and Norwegian Special Operations Command (NORSOCOM).
Over a distinguished military career spanning more than three decades, Nils held senior leadership positions across joint operations, naval command, NATO headquarters, and coalition environments including US CENTCOM. He has extensive experience in operational command, defence policy, multinational coordination, and strategic force development.
Since retirement, he has remained active in defence innovation, advising and chairing boards of advanced defence and drone technology companies.
Expert Role
Nils provides senior strategic counsel on special operations, joint military command, defence procurement, and NATO-aligned multinational coordination.
Professional Background
Nils served as Commander of the Norwegian Special Operations Forces and Norwegian Special Operations Command from 2014 to 2017, holding the rank of Rear Admiral.
Prior to this, he held numerous senior leadership roles including Director of Staff Operations (Defence Staff Norway), Branch Chief Plans, Policy and External Relations at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, and Senior National Representative at the Coalition Coordination Centre (US CENTCOM).
His career includes operational command at sea and ashore, including Commander Coastal Flotilla (Royal Norwegian Navy), Deputy Commander Joint Regional Command South Norway, and Commanding Officer of Meløyvær Fortress. He also served at NATO Headquarters in Brussels within the International Military Staff.
Nils has chaired major defence acquisition programmes, including serving as Chairman of the Board for the procurement of four new frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Following retirement, he founded Holte Direct (2018–present), providing defence consultancy services. He has held senior board roles in multiple defence and technology companies, including:
Chairman, Nordic Unmanned (drone production and services)
Chairman and Board Member, Fieldmade (distributed container-based 3D printing for military spare parts)
Chairman, Rift Dynamics (military FPV drone start-up)
Board Member, Rapp Bomek (security systems manufacturing)
He has also undertaken consultancy contracts with Spectra Group UK and James Fisher Defence Ltd.
Education
Royal College of Defence Studies, London (2009)
Senior International Defense Resources Management Course, Naval Postgraduate School, USA (2008)
National Defence College (2001)
Defence Staff College (1992–1993)
Naval Staff College (1989)
Naval Academy (1978–1981)
Officers Candidate School (1976–1977)
Civil Education
Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration – Human Resources, Organisational Development & Management (1984–1985)