![]() ![]() But it has too few for them to form the basis of a Ukrainian force. Many allies say that concern is misplaced, with Russia showing no sign of backing down from its assault on its neighbour.īritain broke the taboo over sending heavy tanks over the weekend, pledging a squadron of its Challengers. Germany has been cautious about approving weapons that could be seen as an escalation. ![]() Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Bern has rejected various requests by Germany, Spain, and Denmark to re-export Swiss-bought military equipment to Kyiv, spurring debates in the country about relaxing neutrality and weapons export rules.2:11 Ukraine’s calls for aid as Russia renews missile attacks At the time, the purchase was based on a plan to prepare the tanks – or spare parts – for further re-sale, Ruag says. The vehicles in question are old ones, bought from Italy in 2016, and currently non-operational. Ruag’s spokeswoman said the group is now looking for clarity: “We would like an official decision from Seco so that we can better assess the business options,” she told SRF. However, Amherd has also previously hinted that once Switzerland’s own military needs are covered, there could be “a certain number of tanks that we will not need and that we can make available if parliament declares them out of service”. ![]() + Read more: the historic ties between neutrality and commerce The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) confirmed to SRF that it had received the export request, but did not provide further information.ĭefense Minister Viola Amherd said in parliament in mid-March that Seco had rejected a preliminary demand from Ruag to re-sell the tanks, referring to the strict Swiss weapons exports rules based on the country’s neutrality. German arms group Rheinmetall is interested in buying the vehicles in order to pass them on to Kyiv, a Ruag spokeswoman told SRF public radio on Thursday. ![]()
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