Espreso. Global

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

1 June, 2023 Thursday
18:18

Switzerland's Ruag has officially appealed to the government to allow the export of 96 Leopard 1 tanks, despite the country's position of neutrality

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.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Tuesday
19 March
13:43
Ukraine's Intelligence chief names turning point in Kyiv's defense in spring 2022
13:20
Following farmers' protests, EU imposes tariffs on grain from Russia and Belarus - FT
13:00
Atesh guerrillas find out how many Kh-32 missiles Russia plans to produce this year
12:40
Review
Russia moves reserves to Avdiivka area to maintain tempo of offensive. Column by Serhiy Zgurets
12:23
Updated
Poland, Germany to create armored coalition to support Ukraine
12:00
Exclusive
Situation in Bakhmut sector stabilizes — UAV crew commander
11:40
EU develops mechanism to transfer profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine - Bloomberg
11:15
Ukraine destroys 10 units of Russian heavy and motor vehicles in Zaporizhzhia sector
10:50
Russia may use private satellite data to strike Ukraine
10:20
Russian army loses 10 tanks, 30 artillery systems, 840 soldiers per day of war in Ukraine
09:55
Belgium prepares €412 million aid package for Ukraine
09:30
ISW explains how Putin will exploit 'record' election results in war against Ukraine
2024, Monday
18 March
22:00
Review
Victorious news of 754th day of war: over 600 Russian soldiers killed in Belgorod and Kursk regions, Drone Army destroys 88 tanks in two weeks
21:25
Russian army tries to break through Ukrainian defense 21 times in Novopavlivka sector - General Staff
21:07
Exclusive
Ukraine should prepare protest movements inside Russia - Free Idel-Ural representative
20:50
Putin to hold new wave of mobilization shortly after 'elections' - Ukraine's Defense Ministry
20:31
Russia may mobilize 300,000 residents of occupied Ukraine - Ukrainian official
20:10
President Iohannis approves training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s at military base in Romania
19:48
Artillery fire advantage along frontline is 7:1 in Russia's favor - Ukrainian general
19:25
EU decides to allocate €5bn for military support to Ukraine
19:00
Exclusive
Russia has powerful weapons stockpiles in Crimea: OC South on threat of missile attacks
18:35
South Korean Defense Ministry estimates North Korea's ammunition transfers to Russia
18:14
Over 600 Russian military killed in Belgorod, Kursk regions - Freedom of Russia Legion
17:48
OPINION
Russia’s system will begin to self-destruct after sham elections
17:21
Exclusive
Moscow has timed it right: Chubarov on Russia's Crimea annexation 10 years ago
16:56
Russian troops plan offensive in Pokrovsk and Kurakhove areas
16:31
Exclusive
Russia continues to transfer additional resources to Avdiivka sector - Ukrainian colonel
16:10
Exclusive
Zgurets assesses risks regarding potential large-scale Russian mobilization
15:40
Putin threatens with World War III in case of conflict with NATO
15:15
Voting at gunpoint: how did elections in Russian-held Ukrainian territories look like?
14:50
Ukrainian government adopts €50 Billion Ukraine Facility plan from EU
14:35
Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland denies Kremlin support and arms supply to Russia
14:00
OPINION
Where sanctions against Russia don’t work, drones do
13:30
Exclusive
French in Odesa and on border with Transnistria: how Macron's initiative might unfold
12:50
Exclusive
Ukraine’s accession to NATO will be major achievement — British Ambassador to Ukraine Harris
12:20
Exclusive
Ukraine will receive window of opportunity for American aid in April, says political scientist Saakyan
11:49
Updated
Russian CEC reports 87% support for Putin. World's reactions
11:32
Ukraine's accession to EU: PM Shmyhal hopes negotiations will start in first half of 2024
11:00
OPINION
Those who shook hands with Putin are complicit in events in Bucha, Mariupol, Bakhmut, Avdiivka
10:40
Russia loses 810 soldiers, 19 tanks and 34 artillery systems per day - Ukraine's General Staff
More news