Swiss block German request to re-export tank ammunition to Ukraine
Federal Act on War Materiel forbids Switzerland from sending ammunition into conflict zones.
Keystone / Maria Senovilla
The Swiss government has confirmed that it vetoed the re-export of Swiss-made ammunition used in Gepard anti-aircraft tanks that Germany plans to send to Ukraine. Switzerland has cited its policy of neutrality, which forbids it from sending war materiel to conflict zones.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Reuters/jdp
Português
pt
Pedido alemão do bloco suíço para reexportação de munição de tanque para a Ucrânia
On Tuesday the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) confirmed a report by Swiss public broadcaster, SRF, that it had blocked Germany from sending munitions used in the Gepard tank to Ukraine. This comes after Germany announced on Tuesday that, following weeks of pressure, it would ship heavy weapons including 50 Gepard armoured vehiclesExternal link to Ukraine to help it fend off Russian attacks. Over the weekend, there had been reports that the Swiss vetoed Germany’s request to re-export ammunition but it wasn’t confirmed until Tuesday, exactly which ammunition.
SECO received two requests from Germany to send ammunition to Ukraine. This included a 35mm ammunition for the Gepard tank as well as a 12.7mm ammunition, according to a SECO response to Reuters. This ammunition was manufactured by what was Oerlikon-Bührle, an industrial firm based in Switzerland. The company now belongs to the Germany-based Rheinmetall group.
More
More
Swiss block German request to deliver ammo to Ukraine
This content was published on
The SonntagsZeitung newspaper says authorities in Bern rejected the German request about Swiss-made ammunition on the basis of neutrality.
“Both inquiries by Germany as to whether the ammunition received from Switzerland may be transferred to Ukraine were answered in the negative with reference to Swiss neutrality and the mandatory rejection criteria of Swiss war materiel legislation,” SECO said. According to SRF reports, following the Swiss veto it is unclear which ammunition Germany will send to Ukraine with the Gepards.
Neutrality
Switzerland decided to adopt European Union economic sanctions designed to punish Russia for invading Ukraine, but it has said its neutrality does not permit providing arms for use in conflict zones.
Switzerland generally requires recipient countries to declare they will not re-export war materiel without permission.
Last month it rejected Poland’s request for arms to help neighbouring Ukraine.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Switzerland acts to plug gaps in civilian protection service
This content was published on
Switzerland beefs up civil protection service with laws that could draft in civil servants to fill long-standing gaps in personnel.
Swiss home electronics market shrinks for second year in a row
This content was published on
Sales in the Swiss home electronics market fell sharply for the second year in a row, with 2025 unlikely to be much better.
UBS latest bank to tone down diversity in annual report
This content was published on
Swiss bank UBS’s annual report no longer refers to a key sustainability term that is under attack from the Trump administration.
This content was published on
Switzerland's busiest airport, Zurich, will drop French language tannoy announcements, switching to German and English only.
Switzerland remains eighth in international patent applications
This content was published on
International patent applications rose by 0.5% last year. China retains the lead with more than a quarter of applications, while Switzerland is eighth.
This content was published on
Swiss bank Julius Bär bumped up executive bonuses in 2024 following a year of austerity caused by the Signa property debacle.
This content was published on
Two Swiss nationals accused by pro-Russian websites of fighting alongside Ukrainian troops deny any involvement in the conflict.
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 jolted by bold EU reaction to Ukraine
This content was published on
The Ukraine war has brought the European continent together. Yet Switzerland still needs to find its place in this increasingly assertive Europe.
This content was published on
Inside Geneva host Imogen Foulkes asks whether war crimes investigations and sanctions might cause Moscow to reconsider its position in 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.