Switzerland, known for its neutral policy, high quality watches and delicious chocolate, now faces serious problems in the field of military deliveries. European countries, including Germany, refuse to buy products of the Swiss military-industrial complex because of restrictions arising from the neutral position of Switzerland.
Germany and Switzerland maintain close political and economic ties and largely share the same socio -cultural and political values. In addition, Berlin is the largest buyer of Swiss weapons, ammunition and other military products. However, according to SWI portal, Germany decided to officially exclude Swiss companies of the MICRC from the Procurement Program for military-technical and material supply of the Bundesver.
According to the Le Tems Swiss newspaper first, the Federal Office for Logistics for Armed Forces ARMASUISSE has recently received a relevant official message.
In the environment of Swiss defensive industry, almost panic began, Swiss policies of all seases are outraged by this decision of Germany, which "does not respect the Swiss democratic processes and neutrality of the country." However, the motives on which Germany operates is quite clear: Switzerland is no longer regarded by a "big canton" as a reliable partner, with the last nail to the door of the official Berne to Germany to transmit Swiss weapons to Ukraine.
What is it about?
These are drones or UAVs, including the so-called FPV. Nowadays they are the most promising technology that is developing quickly, they are used by both Ukrainians and Russians and largely they have changed the very nature of combat. The drones, in particular, have reinforced air intelligence, and therefore significant funds are now invested in new masking technologies - for example, systems and devices that prevent not only visual intelligence, but also intelligence, which is done with radars or thermal imagers.
The so -called multi -inspest camouflage networks are currently the most effective answer to a new call. German armed forces would like to buy 100,000 such networks - a very large order that was interested in one Swiss company. However, in response to her application, she received a message stating that no company from the EFTA area (the European Free Trade Association includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).
The Armasuisse Federal Office has already received a corresponding supporting letter, which even had time to inform the press in the person of Le Temps. From the point of view of the leadership of Armasuisse, such a refusal became an obvious sign that Switzerland in the eyes of Germany has lost the reputation of a "reliable partner". According to NZZ in the German Parliament, as a measure of minimizing security risks, it is now proposed to get rid of not only Chinese but also Swiss components.
What are the reasons?
In the said letter from Germany, such a decision of the German side was justified by the ban on Berne Berlin to pass 12 400 ammunition for the Gepard anti -aircraft tanks, just very effective in counteracting drone.
Germany purchased these ammunition in Switzerland three decades ago, but at the same time, Switzerland, refusing to re-re-export them in Kiev, referred to its own legislation, which regulates military and technical cooperation with foreign countries, which directly prohibits the reapps of military materials.
Anti -aircraft self -propelled artillery installations "Cheetah" in Ukraine.
He stated his clear condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Bern noted that such norms provided for in the relevant federal law are obligatory for the Swiss sphere of MPC.
This decision caused Berlin's sharp dissatisfaction, which, for its part, reminded that, as a member of the NATO Defense Bloc, Germany should be able to support its alliance partners, in particular in the field of military assistance. And if Switzerland will interfere with this, Berlin "will have to look for other decisions", which, according to the NZZ newspaper, Germany has already officially reported all Swiss defense enterprises.
What about other countries?
The Netherlands have already gone in this way. Last 2023, the Hague Parliament decided to completely stop the purchase of defense equipment in Switzerland. This decision was made after Switzerland blocked re -export of 96 Leopard 1 tanks stored in Italy.
The Netherlands was ready to pay for their repair and modernization in Germany before sending to Ukraine. These machines could be used solely to fill the tank park of Germany and other NATO or EU partners in order to close the lacunae that arose as a result of the transfer of relevant German or other armored vehicles to Ukraine.
According to media reports, Spain and Denmark also consider in the future to do without the products of the Swiss MIC: Denmark has not forgotten how two years ago Switzerland banned Copenhagen's transfer to Ukraine with Piranha III wheeled armored personnel carriers, also referring to its legislation. states. Spain would like to transfer 35-mm anti-aircraft missiles imported from Switzerland to Kiev, in which Switzerland's authorities also refused.
What can this mean for the Swiss defense industry?
From a political point of view, Germany is the most important ally of Switzerland in the EU. Its neighbor in the north is also the most important economic partner of the Confederation-the volume of trade in Switzerland with only two southern German federal lands (subjects of the Federation) Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria exceeds the entire volume of trade in Switzerland with China. All that is happening now does not have critical importance for the Swiss defensive industry for the Swiss, but it was a clear "alarm bell".
In Switzerland, many people emphasize that Swiss companies of the MIC is able to export their products-and not even for financial and economic reasons, in order to remain part of international production and logistics chains. Otherwise, Switzerland will only be partially defense, which means that in the future the country will lose its defensive autonomy.
There is another opinion here: many indicate that Switzerland's defensive sovereignty is in any case for a long time. At the same time, being surrounded by EU and NATO countries, it is safe. There is nothing special and additional in this sense.
What next?
The legislative foundations of Swiss neutrality prohibit Switzerland to supply weapons to the fighting countries. And it is clear to everyone. It is not clear abroad of the Confederation: why weapons of Swiss production, sold abroad, a decade ago, cannot be final buyers transferred to Ukraine, which exercises its right to self -defense in accordance with international law and UN rules?
It is as if you bought a car in the car dealership, but you have no right to give it to anyone, as the car dealership forbade you an act of gift, referring to your "neutrality". Many do not understand this in Switzerland. Therefore, the Parliament has already agreed that some amendments should be entered in the relevant legislative documents.
For example, according to them, the government (Federal Council) should have greater freedom of action when issuing permits for the implementation of weapons agreements, more precisely, the Cabinet should have the right to take into account "exclusive circumstances".
In addition, it is proposed to lift a ban on weapons re -export on countries that are devoted to Swiss democratic values and have a similar export control regime. Such countries should be allowed to transfer military materials purchased in Switzerland to any countries after five years of signing the contract of sale.
This provision would also be in cases where the buyer's country uses its legal and relevant statement of the UN GA in accordance with international law.
How much will these changes be in favor of Ukraine? It is still unknown. These corrections are expected to have to be taken to a referendum, which may occur no earlier than the end of 2025. This means that early Swiss military materials will only be able to enter Ukraine in 2026.
