Swiss defense firm asks government to allow export of Leopard 1 tanks

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said this, DW reports.

“According to Ruag, the German defense concern Rheinmetall is interested in buying the tanks. The tanks that need inspection and repair are to be transferred to Ukraine in the future, a representative of the concern said,” the publication writes.

In March, the defense firm unofficially appealed to the government with a similar request, but was denied. Switzerland emphasizes that it does not support any of the countries involved in the hostilities.

“On this basis, Switzerland is still refusing to re-export the tank ammunition it sold to Germany several years ago. It is demanding contractual guarantees of the possibility of banning further resale,” the media notes.

Ruag’s representative Kirsten Hammerich explained the fact that the official application was submitted despite the unofficial rejection: “We would like to get a formal decision to better assess our business options.”

The tanks were purchased in Italy several years ago and are still there. The Swiss army wanted to bring them into combat readiness and resell or disassemble them for spare parts.

• In May, a parliamentary committee in Switzerland recommended allowing the re-export of military equipment and weapons.