Switzerland on Friday insisted that Switzerland, in its principle of military neutrality, ban the transfer of Swiss war supplies to Ukraine via a third country.
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It is possible to supply munitions to European arms companies in the form of assembly components or spare parts, although the Federal Council has decided that manufactured munitions may be shipped to Ukraine.
The government in Bern said in a statement that Switzerland had received requests from Germany and Denmark to send munitions to Ukraine.
At Germany’s request, about 12,400 Swiss 35mm ammunition and Branha III wheel tanks for Gupta-type anti-aircraft tanks were first purchased by Denmark and have since been decommissioned in Germany. .
Denmark’s demand is for 22 Piranha III tanks made in Switzerland.
“Exports of munitions from Switzerland to Ukraine cannot be authorized because they are treated equally as a result of neutral (…) legislation and cannot respond favorably to the requests of Germany and Denmark to exchange munitions. For Ukraine,” the Council said.
The government examined two applications for the export of munitions filed by Swiss companies for the supply of spare parts and assembly components to arms companies in Germany and Italy.
One of the demands was on components for anti-tank rocket launchers and the other on components designed for air defense.
“Both transactions present the risk that certain components will then be used in the supply of war materials to Ukraine,” the government noted, adding that “supply of war materials in spare parts and assembly form is approved in principle. In countries such as Italy and Germany, the share in the final product is less than 50%.”
“The Federal Council has decided to continue this practice because such exports are in compliance with neutral law,” Bern concludes.
