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.
External Content
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Higher direct payments fail to curb scrub encroachment on alpine pastures
This content was published on
The scrub encroachment on Swiss alpine pastures leads to the loss of grassland and damages the typical landscape. It is also responsible for the decline in biodiversity. Despite higher direct payments, the bushes continue to spread.
Head of Swiss financial regulator’s Banks division quits
This content was published on
Thomas Hirschi, head of the Banks division of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA will leave at the end of August.
Swiss population satisfied with life according to survey
This content was published on
In a survey, the population of German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland expressed general satisfaction with their lives. Respondents were less happy with politics and their personal finances, according to the online comparison service Moneyland.
WHO ‘extremely concerned’ about growing vaccination scepticism
This content was published on
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), vaccination scepticism and a collapse in funding for vaccination campaigns pose a major threat to the health of the world's population.
High-net-worth individuals prioritise well-being over material possessions
This content was published on
The priorities of wealthy private individuals have shifted against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. While spending on luxury goods is declining, demand for travel and experiences is unabated.
Swiss researchers sequence genome of 1918 Spanish flu virus
This content was published on
Researchers from the Universities of Basel and Zurich (UZH) have sequenced the genome of the Spanish flu virus, thanks to a sample taken from an 18-year-old Swiss boy who died in the city on the Limmat in 1918, when the pandemic spread around the world.
Swiss martyr beatified in Barcelona by Catholic Church
This content was published on
François-Benjamin May (1870-1909), a member of the Marist Brothers congregation, has been recognised as a 'blessed' by the Catholic Church.
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.