Norlén became a naval officer in 1994 and has held various roles aboard surface combat ships and within military staffs.
He pursued advanced studies in France and Sweden, including at the École de Guerre and the Swedish Defence University.
Promoted to captain in 2020 and rear admiral (lower half) in 2023, he served in key leadership positions, including commanding the 31st Corvette Division and later acting as a military adviser at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
[1] From 2006 to 2008, he studied at the Swedish Defence University, earning a bachelor's degree, and later attended the Collège interarmées de Défense [fr] in Paris from 2009 to 2010.
[3] He was promoted to rear admiral (lower half) on 15 October 2023, and the following day was seconded to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs as a military adviser.