Ruag fights allegations: Swiss arms company under fire

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.