Switzerland had given the go-ahead for Germany to freely dispose the Leopard 2 tanks returned back to defense group Rheinmetall in 2010.

The Switzerland’s defense procurement office reported about this.

It is noted that the country has received several requests from European countries regarding the transfer of military equipment.

Germany and Poland have requested the transfer of weapons and equipment from previous or current army reserves.

“Germany can freely dispose of Leopard 2 tanks already sold back to the Rheinmetall company twelve years ago, as there are no longer any restrictions here,” the statement said.

Between December 2010 and May 2011, Switzerland sold 42 decommissioned tanks to Rheinmetall. At that time, all tanks had 120-mm cannon, a volley fire system, machine guns, airborne communications and other equipment dismantled. These parts remained in Switzerland as spare parts for other Leopard tanks.

But Poland had its request for providing weapons denied. The decommissioned Leopard 2 tanks were also mentioned. The Swiss Defense Procurement Office noted that the transfer of heavy weapons to Poland requires decommissioning of equipment, and thus – approval from the parliament.

“The Defence procurement office believes that in modern conditions, the alienation of decommissioned tanks to Poland can not be executed during a reasonable period of time,” a statement reads.

At the same time, the decision was approved about transferring to the United Kingdom part of the consignment of anti-tank weapons coming to Switzerland from Saab AB, this regards to NLAW.

This regards to 30% of the weapons from the original contract, which are supposed to replenish the UK’s own reserves.

As it was previously reported, Polish Bumar-Łabędy will carry out overhaul and maintenance of the PT-91 tank batch.