Switzerland will no longer approve war materiel exports of a German dealer who sent several Swiss-made armoured vehicles to Ukraine.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
An investigation by the Swiss economics ministry found that the former managing director of a German arms dealership was in breach of conditions by sending 11 Mowag Eagle vehicles to Ukraine.
More
More
Ukraine war is a windfall for Swiss arms industry
This content was published on
The global rearmament effort in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is grist to the mill for Swiss arms companies.
Switzerland has repeatedly refused other countries permission to send Swiss-made weapons, ammunition and military vehicles to Ukraine as it would violate its neutrality.
The vehicles were part of a batch of 36 originally sold to Denmark in the 1990s, with 27 then moving to a German company in 2013 with the blessing of the Swiss authorities.
In 2018, the firm’s ex-managing director took possession of the vehicles. The German defence ministry allowed this dealer to re-export some vehicles to Ukraine once their armour plating had been removed.
Despite these modifications, Switzerland ruled on Wednesday that the company was in breach of Swiss regulations.
The Swiss authorities stated that the “exports of war material from Switzerland to the managing director in question…can no longer be approved because there is a high risk of it being passed on to an undesirable end recipient.”
More
More
Investigation exposes the use of Swiss arms in war zones
This content was published on
An extensive media investigation has revealed the illegal presence of Swiss military equipment in Afghanistan and Yemen.
Switzerland participates in ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting
This content was published on
This engagement was part of a four-day tour of Southeast Asia, aimed at advancing the Swiss Federal Council's Southeast Asia Strategy.
Majority of shareholders approve sustainability reports of major Swiss companies
This content was published on
Shareholders have approved the sustainability reports of the largest Swiss companies by a large majority at their annual general meetings.
EU releases €1.5B frozen assets to Ukraine: Switzerland opts out
This content was published on
The EU announced the release of €1.5 billion (CHF1.44 billion) in aid to Ukraine. Switzerland will not follow the EU's approach.
Five people charged in connection with deadly Swiss rockslide
This content was published on
Five people have been charged with multiple negligent homicide in connection with the deadly Bondo rockslide that occurred seven years ago.
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 president defends ban on re-exporting war materiel
This content was published on
Switzerland is not backing down from its ban on the transfer of war materiel, insisted Alain Berset during talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
‘We had necessary permits’, says German dealer behind Swiss tanks in Ukraine
This content was published on
A German dealer behind the re-export of Swiss armoured vehicles spotted in Ukraine says they have been completely demilitarised.
Swiss investigate sighting of Swiss-built tank in Ukraine
This content was published on
Pictures of one or two armoured vehicles apparently made by the Swiss manufacturer Mowag have appeared on the internet from the front in Ukraine.
Swiss arms group wants to sell 96 unused tanks to Germany
This content was published on
German arms group Rheinmetall is interested in buying the vehicles in order to pass them on to Kyiv, a Ruag spokeswoman told SRF public radio on Thursday. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) confirmed to SRF that it had received the export request, but did not provide further information. Defense Minister Viola Amherd said in…
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.