Switzerland launches investigation into Leopard 1 tanks

Switzerland launches an investigation against RUAG, which had an intention to sell Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine through Germany.

The Swiss government’s website reports that a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the signing of the contract with German Rheinmetall will be conducted.

These tanks were supposed to become the property of the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. It was planned that they would be repaired and sent to Ukraine.

The Swiss government blocked the sale as it would allegedly “violate Switzerland’s status as a neutral country.”

Back in 2016, RUAG purchased 96 Leopard 1 tanks from Italy, where they were stored.

According to RUAG, they were purchased as commercial goods and as equipment to supply spare parts.

In early 2023, Rheinmetall approached RUAG with a request to buy the battle tanks that were still stored in Italy.

At the time, Rheinmetall openly stated that these tanks would be delivered to Ukraine after maintenance in Germany.

On February 13, 2023, RUAG signed a sale and purchase agreement with Rheinmetall, stating that the supply would be made only with the permission of the competent authorities.

The issue of arms re-export has sparked a broad debate in Switzerland, which has had to balance its foreign policy tradition of neutrality.

However, in June, the Swiss government rejected RUAG’s request to re-export Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.

“The investigation will focus on the trade of Leopard 1 tanks, including the circumstances of their purchase in 2016 and the signing of the contract with Rheinmetall,” the Swiss government said.