They should be delivered back to Germany, but not to Ukraine: The Swiss Parliament has approved the resale of 25 decommissioned “Leopard 2s”. The SVP in particular was against it.
With 25 yes and 15 no votes, the small parliamentary chamber has now also agreed: the Swiss army can decommission 25 decommissioned “Leopard 2” tanks in order to sell them back to the German manufacturer Rheinmetall. The parliament in Bern followed a request from Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in a letter to the Swiss government – and the arguments of Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd.
She said the decision was “in Switzerland’s interest” because it would strengthen Europe’s defense capability and that would help “our security, the security of our population.” And it is a “solidary contribution to the security of Europe, to the security of a Europe that also represents our values.”
A “correct” deal
Amherd emphasized to MPs that the deal was also “correct” in view of Swiss neutrality, which prohibits direct arms deliveries to war zones. In its request, Germany assured that it would not deliver the Swiss “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine.
In the sometimes heated parliamentary debate, opposition came primarily from the national-conservative Swiss People’s Party SVP, which unanimously voted against releasing the tanks.
The SVP politician and President of the Security Policy Commission, Werner Salzmann, criticized that the deal “smelled like ring swapping” and was “very questionable in terms of neutrality policy.” He accused the supporters of tank sales of “abusing” security policy for foreign policy. Switzerland needs the 25 mothballed tanks itself. Just as they didn’t foresee a war in Ukraine, they also don’t know what will happen in ten to fifteen years. The army must be fully equipped “now.”
See beyond the borders
The defense of Switzerland begins outside the national borders, emphasized MP Charles Juillard from the Center Party. This is a political decision, not a military one.
And so it was ultimately a victory for foreign policy – a “signal to the European partners,” as it was said in Bern.
After parliament has approved, it is now the Swiss government’s turn: it must now formally decide on the sale of the “Leopard 2” tanks to Germany – and determine the timing.