The Swiss government has confirmed its refusal to agree to the transfer to Ukraine of ammunition for the “Flakpanzer Gepard” anti-aircraft tanks, which Germany once purchased from Bern.
Source: The Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research
The Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin sent a letter to German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht, in which he indicated that it is impossible to agree to such a supply of Swiss-made military materials if the recipient country is involved in an international conflict.
“Switzerland applies the law on neutrality in relations between Russia and Ukraine,” the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research said in a statement.
More than 10 days ago, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht sent a letter to the Swiss government with a request to lift the veto on the re-export of ammunition to the “Flakpanzer Gepard”, so that Germany could transfer to Ukraine 12,000 35-mm shells, which it had purchased many decades ago.
The original contract for the sale of arms to Germany stipulated that Switzerland must agree to any subsequent sale or transfer free of charge.
Germany provided the initial package of ammunition, which included about 60,000 rounds. However, due to the intensive use of “Gepard” by the Ukrainian army against Russian drones and cruise missiles, Kyiv reported an acute “ammunition shortage”.
Berlin had previously asked Bern about 12,400 rounds of Swiss origin for “Flakpanzer Gepard” anti-aircraft tanks. They were manufactured by the Zurich company Oerlikon-Bührle. At the beginning of June, the Swiss Economy Minister officially refused the export for the first time, referring to the neutrality of Switzerland.
“Gepard” became the first heavy weapons system that Germany promised to Ukraine. By September 2022, all 30 promised anti-aircraft tanks were delivered to the country.
See also: Switzerland allocates almost $100M to Ukraine for the restoration of energy infrastructure
