Swiss Parliament Backs Easing Arms Export Rules

Switzerland’s upper house of parliament has approved a proposal to ease long-standing restrictions on arms exports.

Bloomberg reports that the decision was passed on Wednesday, June 11. It would restore the government’s authority to approve the export of Swiss-made weapons, including to conflict zones.

The draft legislation also calls for the creation of a list of 25 countries — mostly NATO members — that would be exempt from seeking approval for the re-export of Swiss weapons.

The measure must still be approved by the lower house of parliament.

According to the report, pressure on Switzerland’s defense industry has grown since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Under its neutrality laws, Switzerland prohibits the re-export of weapons and military materials containing more than 50% Swiss-made components. That policy has led several European countries to exclude Swiss defense companies from procurement contracts after Bern blocked the transfer of arms and ammunition to Ukraine.

The Swiss parliament had revoked the government’s export authority in 2021, in response to a campaign to enshrine stricter arms export rules in the country’s constitution.

Arms Sales Decline

In March, representatives of the Swiss defense industry told Reuters they had lost market share amid a broader European rearmament push, due to the export ban and the prohibition on re-selling weapons to Ukraine.

Germany, previously Switzerland’s largest arms customer, excluded Swiss firms from some procurement deals. Denmark and the Netherlands also suspended orders.

At the time, Swiss defense companies said export restrictions needed to be eased, citing a second consecutive year of declining sales.

In late May, the Swiss federal government approved the sale of 71 Leopard 1 tanks by RUAG to Germany, on the condition they would not be transferred to Ukraine. The deal traces back to 2023.