Swiss companies exported tanks, weapons, and other war materiel worth CHF955 million ($1.02 billion) to 60 countries in 2022. This is nearly a third more than last year, and the highest level ever recorded.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jdp
Italiano
it
Le esportazioni di materiale bellico della Svizzera raggiungono un livello record
The total value of war materiel exports in 2022 exceeded the previous record set in 2020 (CHF901.2 million) by 6%, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs reported on Tuesday. War materiel exports represent 0.25% of Switzerland’s total exports, up from 0.21% in 2021.
The greatest increase in demand came from Asia. Some 35.1% of war materiel exports went to Asia in 2022 compared to 10.9% in 2021. Europe’s share fell from 65% to 50.4%, and in the Americas from 13.3% to 7.1%.
Qatar was the main customer, purchasing CHF213.4 million worth of war materiel. This included a CHF194.3 million air defence system for stadium security during the FIFA World Cup last winter.
Denmark (CHF136.2 million) was the second biggest buyer, followed by Germany (CHF131.7 million), Saudi Arabia (CHF111.1 million) and the United States (CHF61.5 million).
Mainly tanks and ammunition
The main exports were armoured vehicles (26.5%), ammunition and ammunition components (24.8%), weapons of any calibre (24.8%), and fire control equipment (16.8%). The small arms category and components of combat aircraft each accounted for five percent.
The largest transaction was the air defence systems to Qatar, followed by tanks to Denmark for CHF130.3 million, and supplies of spare parts for air defence systems to Saudi Arabia for CHF65.1 million. Tanks valued at CHF33.3 million were also sold to Botswana.
Arms in wartime
Switzerland’s neutrality laws forbid the export of war materiel to countries in conflict. This applies to the war in Ukraine as well. Switzerland hasn’t allowed exports to Ukraine since Russia invaded Crimea in 2014. “This law remains applicable during Russia’s current military aggression against Ukraine,” writes Seco.
Parliament is currently debating whether to relax rules that prevent ammunition it manufactures from being re-exported from another country to Ukraine.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The citizenship obstacle course facing spouses of Swiss Abroad
This content was published on
The Ethos Foundation recommends that shareholders vote against all compensation-related items at the Annual General Meeting on March 7.
Top Swiss firms close to reaching gender quota in boards
This content was published on
The proportion of women on the boards of directors of the fifty largest listed companies in Switzerland currently stands at 28%.
Swiss committee wants to end government resignations during legislative term
This content was published on
Members of the Federal Council should no longer be able to leave office before the end of their term, according to a House of Representatives committee.
Swiss government seat: Ritter and Pfister nominated to succeed Amherd
This content was published on
Markus Ritter from St Gallen and Martin Pfister from Zug were officially nominated by the Centre Party on Friday to succeed Defence Minister Viola Amherd.
Top Swiss court rejects Russian request for administrative tax assistance
This content was published on
There is currently no reason to transmit banking information to the Russian Federation, the Swiss Federal Court has ruled.
After strike by radiologists, doctors demonstrate in Bern
This content was published on
Following a strike by radiology technicians in Fribourg, doctors, vets, dentists and chiropractors expressed their frustration on Friday outside parliament in the Swiss capital.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss body proposes removing barriers to re-export arms to Ukraine
This content was published on
A Swiss committee has proposed waiving a ban that prevents ammunition it manufactures from being re-exported from another country to Ukraine.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.