Abstract: A spacer grid for use in a nuclear fuel assembly has double-deflected vanes that guide an axial flow of coolant around fuel rods and thereby generate swirl flow. The vanes each have a double bend projecting upwardly from first inner straps and projecting toward one fuel rod. The vanes are sufficiently wide at their bases to prevent inadvertent deformation due to contact with fuel rods during an insertion of fuel rods into the cells. The vanes also make a smooth variation in the cross-sectional area of the coolant channel at the outlet of the spacer grid, thus reducing a loss of pressure during reactor operation.