Switzerland rejects re-export of 96 Leopard 1 tanks pledged to Ukraine

The Swiss government turned down a request by Swiss arms maker RUAG to re-export 96 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine. 

They were supposed to be delivered to Ukraine after refurbishment in Germany, Bloomberg reports.

The government rejected the decision on the basis of neutrality legislation.

These tanks are now stored in Italy and are in a non-combatant state. They were planned to be transported to Germany for modernization and then transferred to Ukraine as military aid.

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, the Federal Council stated.

Last week, Switzerland announced a humanitarian aid package worth 1.2 million Swiss francs (1.22 million euros) for mine clearance in Ukraine.

What is known about Switzerland's blocking of arms transfer to Ukraine

Switzerland has been adhering to a policy of neutrality since 1815. Bern does not supply its weapons for warfare or provide other military assistance. It does not allow the re-export of its weapons to third countries. This also applies to the war in Ukraine.

Since February 2022, Switzerland has provided Ukraine with only financial and humanitarian aid. In May 2023, Bern took a step towards supplying Ukraine with weapons.

However, the lower house of the Swiss parliament, the National Council, rejected a bill known as "Lex Ukraine," which would have allowed third countries to transfer Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine.

On June 7, the Swiss Senate approved an amendment to the law on military materials that could unblock the re-export of weapons to third countries, including Ukraine.