After several years in party politics, most recently as chairman of the Liberal Youth League of Sweden, Erik Berg has made the move into the defence sector. As the new policy strategist for EU and NATO affairs at the Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association (SOFF), he will monitor EU and NATO processes for defence cooperation and the development of the defence market. He spoke to Nordic Defence Sector about what attracted him to the new role and which issues he will focus on.
What is your background?
– I am joining SOFF from party politics. Most recently, I served as chairman of the Liberal Youth League of Sweden (LUF), and before that I worked for the Liberal Party in Stockholm Region as a communications officer and political secretary. Prior to that, I trained as a subject teacher at Uppsala University (central Sweden). My background is fairly varied, but my interest in defence and foreign affairs developed a long time ago and has remained with me ever since.
Why did you choose to work in the defence sector?
– Between NATO, support for Ukraine, and the rearmament of the Swedish Armed Forces, my time as chairman of a political youth organisation was thoroughly shaped by defence issues. Being able to continue in that area, but in an entirely new role, feels perfect. Both challenging and familiar at the same time, which is exactly how a new job should feel.
What drew you to this position and to SOFF in particular?
– Above all, I have only heard good things about SOFF as an organisation, and in all the contact I had with staff here in my previous role, I came away with a very positive impression. On top of that, my job description suits me perfectly. Being a policy strategist specifically for EU and NATO affairs feels exactly right for me, as a strong advocate of European and transatlantic cooperation.
What does your new position involve?
– My primary responsibility is to monitor EU and NATO processes aimed at strengthening cooperation in the defence market area on behalf of SOFF's member companies. Sweden and Swedish defence companies play key roles in the new security environment, both in the European and the global context. My role also includes keeping track of research and development (R&D) issues, which are closely linked to the EU through the expansion of the European Defence Fund.
Beyond that, we are a smaller organisation, and the entire secretariat works closely together to support one another, so I will certainly play some part in much of what happens across the organisation, even outside my own areas of responsibility.
Why is SOFF establishing this new position?
– We should be proud in Sweden of the internationally competitive defence market we have. It makes both Sweden and our new allies considerably more secure. However, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must ensure we meet new demands in an increasingly uncertain world. Expectations are high that Swedish defence capability will grow and that cooperation with our allies in the EU and NATO will hold firm despite an uncertain global situation. SOFF is being strengthened both by myself and my colleague Toni Eriksson, who is also starting now, precisely because so much is happening in these areas.
What is at the top of your agenda for the next six months?
– Right now, the new European Commission is working intensively on a range of defence issues. Kaja Kallas, the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs, was given 100 days upon taking office to present a broad vision for European defence cooperation. The defence industry will be a central part of that vision, and of all the practical strategies, programmes, and legislation that will follow. That will therefore also be my main focus going forward.
NDS has previously interviewed, among others, Tobias Billström and Karin Swanson in this series. If you know someone who would be a good fit for this interview series, or feel that you yourself would be suitable, NDS can be reached at news@nordicdefencesector.com. Please mark the email "New on the Job".