Sweden has long opposed nuclear weapons – but it once tried to build them

Sweden has long maintained a strong opposition to nuclear weapons. However, it may come as a surprise to some that there was a time when Sweden actually attempted to build its own atomic bomb. In the aftermath of World War Two, Sweden embarked on an ambitious plan to develop nuclear weapons. This little-known chapter in Swedish history sheds light on the complexities of international relations and the ever-evolving nature of nuclear proliferation. Sweden's decision to pursue nuclear weapons was largely driven by geopolitical concerns in the post-war era. The country, which had managed to stay neutral during the war, found itself caught between the United States and the Soviet Union in the emerging Cold War. As tensions escalated between the two superpowers, Sweden's leaders feared they could be vulnerable to an attack from either side. The development of nuclear weapons seemed like a way to ensure the country's security and maintain its independence. The Swedish nuclear weapons program, codenamed Project 4, began in the late 1940s and continued until the early 1970s. It was led by a team of scientists and researchers at the Swedish National Defence Research Institute, known as the FOA. The project aimed to develop a nuclear weapon with a delivery system that could be deployed both on land and at sea. The Swedish government invested significant resources into the program, including the construction of a research reactor in Studsvik, south of Stockholm. The reactor provided the necessary infrastructure for conducting experiments and tests related to nuclear weapons development. Additionally, Sweden sought to