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Swiss officers raise their hands. Under no circumstances may Swiss Leopard main battle tanks be sold. Federal President Alain Berset (50) is also sceptical. In contrast to Defense Minister Viola Amherd (60): Switzerland could certainly do without part of its tank fleet, the center federal councilor had declared in the National Council.
However, so far all discussions have been only gray theory. There is an official request from Germany that Switzerland could make available some of the 96 “Leos” stored in eastern Switzerland. The Czech Republic is also interested. But before this can be seriously discussed, the tanks would first have to be officially dismantled by parliament. To date, no application has been submitted for this.
Now it gets concrete
But now he has a look. The Security Committee of the National Council will meet with him on Monday and Tuesday. The application was submitted by FDP national councilor Maja Riniker (44), who had already initiated the previous discussion in parliament – thereby upsetting party chairman Thierry Burkart (47).
But Riniker is not deterred by this. With her application, she wants to take a first hurdle and actually put some of the unused tanks out of service. She avoided a specific number. The Commission and Parliament should be able to discuss this.
The “Leos” would be used by the Germans as a replacement for the tanks they themselves had made available to Ukraine. This could probably also appease foreign countries. Numerous countries are dissatisfied with the fact that Switzerland has hitherto strictly prohibited the transfer of war materials ever sold.
The army chief also sees opportunities
FDP national councilor Riniker cannot only refer to Amherd in her application. This stated that, minus the own need for complete equipment, replacement material and training, part of the tanks could be omitted. Army chief Thomas Süssli (56) – in contrast to his officers – also comes to the same conclusion. He assumes a dozen tanks that Switzerland could do without.
The motion is likely to face difficulties in parliament. After all, the first attempts to relax the War Materials Act failed in the spring session. Above all, the SVP and the Greens had resisted. But the FDP and Mitte were also partially divided. Heated warfare must be provided.
Source:Blick
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