Sweden’s Videberg Kraft selected Rolls-Royce SMR to supply three small modular reactors (SMRs) for a planned nuclear power station on the Värö Peninsula near the existing Ringhals nuclear plant. The decision, announced by state-owned energy company Vattenfall, marks a key milestone in what is set to become Sweden’s first new nuclear power project in more than four decades.

The new plant is expected to add about 1.5 gigawatts of electricity to Sweden’s grid, with the first reactor planned to start running in the mid-2030s. By choosing Rolls-Royce SMR, Sweden becomes the third European country to select this technology, after the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic.

Three-year review narrows field to final two contenders

Videberg Kraft, owned by Vattenfall and Industrikraft, made its decision after three years of reviewing 75 possible reactor options. In the end, the decision came down to two technologies: the pressurized water reactor from Rolls-Royce SMR and the BWRX-300 reactor from GE Vernova Hitachi.

The new plant, called the Videberg Project, will be built next to the Ringhals nuclear power station, one of Sweden’s main electricity sources. When finished, the reactors should help secure Sweden’s energy supply and meet rising demand for electricity.

Desirée Comstedt, acting CEO of Videberg Kraft, pointed out the strong network of companies working with the British reactor developer.

“Rolls-Royce SMR offers a robust network of subcontractors, the majority of which are located in our geographical vicinity. By choosing to move forward with Rolls-Royce SMR, Videberg Kraft and its owner companies also become part of a European program, where we can benefit from shared experience.”

Familiar reactor technology seen as key advantage

Company leaders said that the proven track record of the chosen reactor technology was a key reason for their decision.

Anna Borg, Board member of Videberg Kraft and CEO of Vattenfall, said:

“Overall, the board’s assessment is that Rolls-Royce SMR is the supplier that can give Videberg Kraft the best prerequisites for delivering a successful project. The reactor, a pressurized water reactor (PWR), is the same type used at Ringhals today and is a well-proven technology. Moreover, Rolls-Royce SMR has a commercially attractive contractual set-up.”

Tom Erixon, a board member of Videberg Kraft and Industrikraft, also stressed the project’s focus on industrial methods.

“Rolls-Royce SMR offers an efficient and industrialized concept that reduces the risk of delays. Videberg Kraft, together with Rolls-Royce SMR, is now paving the way for a new nuclear power on the Värö peninsula – something that would not have been possible without a historically unique collaboration between Swedish industry and the energy sector.”

Rolls-Royce expands European nuclear footprint

The Swedish decision gives Rolls-Royce SMR even more momentum as it expands in Europe.

Chris Cholerton, CEO of Rolls-Royce SMR, said, “We are delighted to have been selected by Videberg Kraft as its partner to bring new nuclear power to Sweden. This is a strong endorsement of our transformational approach to the delivery of a standardized fleet of SMRs … [and] further demonstrates growing market confidence in our technology.”

The company’s reactor design can generate 470 megawatts of electricity and is built to provide steady power for at least 60 years. Much of the plant will be made in factories and then brought to the site for assembly. This method aims to reduce construction risks and accelerate the project. Nuclear energy is seeing a revival across Sweden.

This news comes as Sweden is working to speed up the development of its nuclear power. In 2022, the new center-right government became more supportive of nuclear energy. The next year, a roadmap was released calling for new nuclear capacity equal to at least two large reactors by 2035 and up to ten by 2045.

Government support programs introduced in August 2025 have already drawn interest from several developers. Videberg Kraft was the first to apply for state aid in December. More recently, Blykalla, a Swedish reactor developer, asked for funding for a six-reactor project in Norrsundet, and Studsvik submitted plans for up to 1,400 megawatts of new nuclear capacity in southern Sweden.

France is moving forward with its next-generation nuclear cruise missile, taking a big step in modernizing its airborne nuclear deterrent. The country’s defense procurement agency recently announced it had given MBDA a contract to develop the ASN4G hypersonic missile. This new weapon is expected to enter service around 2035 and will replace the current ASMPA-R missile.

This announcement comes after the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) formally notified the framework agreement and development contract on June 2. The program is now moving from years of research and concept studies to full-scale development.

France advances next-generation nuclear missile

The Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération, or ASN4G, will be the next airborne nuclear strike weapon for the French armed forces. MBDA, a European missile manufacturer, is developing the missile as a key part of France’s long-term defense modernization plans in the 2024-2030 military programming law.

MBDA is owned by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. The company has worked for years with France’s national aerospace research center, ONERA, to study possible designs for the new weapon.

The ASN4G is meant to replace the ASMPA-R, the latest version of France’s nuclear-capable air-launched cruise missile. Although the ASMPA-R is still in use, defense planners have been preparing for its replacement as air defense systems worldwide improve.

According to the DGA, the new missile’s high speed will help keep France’s airborne nuclear deterrent effective and credible as threats become more advanced. The agency called the program a major technological leap that depends on specialized industrial skills found in only a few countries.

[#Programme ] La DGA commande le développement du missile hypersonique ASN4G à MBDA

La DGA a notifié, le 2 juin 2026 à @MBDAGroup, l’accord cadre de réalisation et le marché de développement du missile Air-Sol nucléaire de quatrième génération #ASN4G pic.twitter.com/4kRTzdNOh1

— Direction générale de l'armement (@DGA) June 12, 2026

Hypersonic approach selected after years of studies

French researchers evaluated two competing concepts before selecting the final direction for the ASN4G program. One idea was a stealthy ramjet-powered missile designed to be less detectable by radar. The other focused on hypersonic speed and advanced maneuverability. After many studies, the hypersonic option was chosen.

MBDA previously explained that extreme speed combined with the ability to maneuver in flight gives important advantages. These features can shorten warning times, make radar tracking more difficult, and make it harder for enemy air defenses to intercept the missile.

While the official details are still classified, defense experts think the ASN4G will use scramjet propulsion. It is also expected to fly much faster than the ASMPA-R, which can reach about Mach 3 and has a range of around 311 miles (500 kilometers).

The DGA also shared a new image related to the Thémis technology demonstrator. The picture showed a winged vehicle rising into the air with the help of two booster rockets. However, officials did not say when or where the test took place, and details about the Thémis program remain limited.

Conformément à la loi de programmation militaire, la DGA travaille à la modernisation de la composante nucléaire aéroportée

Le missile ASN4G remplacera le missile ASMPA rénové actuellement en service

— Direction générale de l'armement (@DGA) June 12, 2026

Rafale F5 to carry the new hypersonic weapon

The ASN4G is being developed together with the future Rafale F5 fighter, which is expected to enter service around 2030.

France chose to fund the Rafale F5 program on its own after talks about sharing costs with the United Arab Emirates ended in December 2025.

When it becomes operational, the missile will be used by both branches of France’s airborne nuclear force. These are the Forces Aériennes Stratégiques (FAS), which is the nuclear part of the French Air and Space Force, and the Force Aéronavale Nucléaire (FANu), which flies Rafale M fighters from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

Nuclear deterrence gains greater strategic role

The ASN4G contract comes as France is placing greater emphasis on the airborne component of its nuclear deterrent strategy.

On March 2, 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced a new deterrence plan that could see nuclear-capable Rafale aircraft deployed to allied bases across Europe. This idea shows France’s growing concern about regional security and the need for a more flexible deterrence approach.

France is also growing its nuclear aviation force. The FAS plans to double its number of nuclear-capable squadrons by 2035, aided by the return of a nuclear mission at Luxeuil Air Base.