Switzerland’s exports of war materiel were down by 12 per cent in the first half of the year compared with last year, with a value of SFr292 million ($277 million).
This content was published on
1 minute
Germany was the main customer, buying weapons and weapon components valued at SFr67.2 million.
Figures released by the Federal Customs Administration on Tuesday showed that Saudi Arabia was in second place (SFr31.8 million) and Britain third (SFr29.3 million).
Behind the top three came Pakistan, which spent more than SFr13 million on ammunition for its anti-aircraft defence.
Switzerland’s top five arms customers in 2009 were Germany, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Britain and Belgium. Most arms went to Europe (69 per cent) and Asia (25 per cent).
In November last year, a proposal by an alliance of peace groups and centre-left political parties to ban the export of weapons and other war materiel was rejected.
It was the third time in nearly 40 years that pacifists had sought to win a majority for their cause.
swissinfo.ch and agencies
Popular Stories
More
Foreign affairs
What Trump’s return or a new Harris administration would mean for Switzerland
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
Parliament rejects tougher gun laws
This content was published on
The initiative will now go to the Senate, ahead of a national vote in February 2011. New figures show that Switzerland’s militia soldiers seem to prefer to keep their military guns at home rather than deposit them free at local army bases. Launched in February 2009 by the centre-left Social Democratic Party and a number…
This content was published on
The gfs.bern polling institute said an estimated 58 per cent of voters had backed the initiative. A majority of cantons were also in support of a minaret ban. Turnout was high at around 55 per cent. The result, if confirmed, comes as a major surprise and a slap in the face of the government. Opinion…
This content was published on
On November 29 the Swiss will vote, for the third time since 1972, on banning the export of weapons and other military materiel. The government has recommended voters reject the initiative. The first of many arms scandals to rock Switzerland occurred in 1968, when during the Nigerian Civil War it turned out that planes belonging…
This content was published on
Shooting competitions took place across the whole of Switzerland over the first weekend of June, including in Überstorf, in canton Fribourg. Around 2,000 people from the region took part. In Switzerland as a whole, the number of participants was around 146,000. The annual event mixes sport and competition with a party atmosphere. (Photos and text:…
This content was published on
From the age of 18 all able-bodied Swiss men are called up to do their military service. Recruits receive a rifle which they have to store at home after they’ve completed their basic training. But the tradition of keeping army weapons at home is facing mounting opposition. (2007 swissinfo, Michele Andina)
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.