It has therefore given priority to Switzerland’s commitments as a neutral country and to the reliability of its application of the rule of law.
On 27 April, Ruag AG submitted an export request to SECO for the re-sale of 96 used and non-operational Leopard 1A5 tanks. The tanks are currently in storage in Italy and would require refurbishment in Germany before being re-exported to Ukraine.
“The Federal Council has concluded that the sale of the 96 tanks is not possible under the law as it stands. In particular, such a sale would contravene the War Materiel Act and would result in a shift from Switzerland’s policy of neutrality,” Switzerland’s Federal Council said in a statement.
