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The arms company Ruag does not make it out of the negative headlines. First, CEO Brigitte Beck caused problems with controversial statements about arms deliveries to Ukraine: Germany or Spain must pass on weapons despite Switzerland’s veto. In this way, the head of the federal company ignored the Swiss policy of neutrality and the War Material Act. She subsequently apologized in an internal letter.
Then Ruag would have caused problems abroad. She led potential buyers to believe that there was a chance to sell 96 Leopard 1 tanks stored in Italy for transfer to Ukraine – despite contrary information from the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (Seco), the media accused her. After the Federal Council’s no, the Netherlands was very disappointed. According to the “Tages-Anzeiger”, the Ruag contributed to this diplomatic turmoil.
Ruag denies the allegations
Ruag himself wants nothing to do with it. A spokeswoman assures that the group has not raised any expectations in this business. The result of the preliminary investigation at Seco was not legally binding – only the decision of the Federal Council. It was always made transparent to potential partners that a tank deal would only come about if there was a legally binding approval. RUAG consistently adheres to the applicable legal requirements.
The federal government, on the other hand, is reluctant: every company is free to submit a specific application after a preliminary investigation, the Seco only says. And the defense agency DDPS only says that the federal government, as owner, has no influence over RUAG’s operational business, such as an exchange with potential buyers. The responsible authorities are not responding to the specific allegations.
Bad air in Parliament
In any case, the air in Parliament is still thick. “With the preliminary clarification, Seco Ruag issued an unequivocal rejection. So the starting point was clear,” says SVP National Councilor Mauro Tuena (51). Nevertheless, RUAG came up with an official request.
“With the war in Ukraine, we are in a very difficult situation in Europe, so a federal company should not cause a stir anymore,” said the chairman of the Security Policy Committee. The Ruag never had a chance to sell tanks to the war zone – and they knew it very well. Tuena: “This diplomatic mess was caused by the Ruag, not the Federal Council.”
Ruag’s boss isn’t off the hook yet
SP security politician Franziska Roth (57) comes to different conclusions. For them there is nothing objectionable about the application for the sale of the Leopard 1 tanks. “It is understandable that there are attempts to support European countries and Ukraine.” It was therefore also right that the Bundesrat commissioned a supplementary report. “Staying out of everything without well-founded clarifications and hiding behind neutrality is of course easy, but the highest form of lack of solidarity.”
In any case, Ruag’s role remains an issue in parliament. Not even CEO Beck himself is off the hook yet. After their controversial statements about arms supplies to Ukraine, the board of directors was “not happy”. President Nicolas Perrin also announced internal investigations. These are not yet complete. Beck’s position as CEO of Ruag is currently not in question, the group assures.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
