What is it about?
A week ago, Germany asked Switzerland to buy stored Leopard 2 main battle tanks. They are to replace tanks that Germany and other EU countries supplied to Ukraine, the Swiss Defense Ministry said in a Blick report on Friday.
Will the tanks land in Ukraine?
No. In their letter to Federal Councilor Viola Amherd, German ministers Boris Pistorius (SPD) and Robert Habeck (Greens) assured that the tanks would not be passed on to Ukraine.
Instead, they are intended to replace the tanks that have been or will be shipped to Ukraine by EU and NATO countries. In addition to Germany, Finland, Sweden, Poland and Portugal supply main battle tanks to the country on the Donbass.
For Switzerland it is essential that the tanks do not end up in Ukraine, because the teaching in Bern is still that no war material may be supplied to countries involved in a military conflict – not even through resale by another state.
What are these tanks?
These are tanks of the “Leopard 2 A4” type, called “Panzer 87 Leopard” in full. The “cats” come from Germany, more precisely from the house of Krauss-Maffay-Wegmann. In 1984 Parliament decided to purchase 380 Leopards to replace the aging “Panzer 68”. The tanks were then largely built under license by RUAG.
Since 2006, 134 main battle tanks have been upgraded to the “Panzer 87 Leopard WE” – the WE stands for value retention. This should extend the life of the tanks by another 20 years.
But these value-added leopards are not the problem here, but the “old ones”. After all kinds of sales, conversions and scrapping, Switzerland still has 96 Panzer 87 Leopards in a secret warehouse in eastern Switzerland. They are intended as an army reserve.
Does Switzerland still need these tanks?
That depends on who you ask. VBS spokesman Lorenz Frischknecht confirmed to Blick that the army had already started to clarify the sale: “From the point of view of the army, it would in principle be possible to get by without a limited number of main battle tanks – minus the personal needs for Switzerland. » Own use here means: 34 mothballed tanks, in addition to the 134 WE Leopards currently in service.
Politicians have so far been sceptical. A parliamentary initiative that provided for the transfer of up to 30 “old” leopards was recently rejected. The majority of MPs argued that the tanks are a strategic reserve that cannot simply be traded away.
And the militia is not happy either. Erich Muff, president of the Officers’ Society of the Panzer Troops, doesn’t mind selling Leos: “We don’t have enough vehicles today.”
What’s next?
Legally, unlike last year’s ammunition debacle, for example, there shouldn’t be any problems. Because the tanks are not going to Ukraine and are therefore not covered by the War Material Act.
However, there is one condition on the part of the DDPS: Parliament must formally dismantle the tanks through an official decree so that they can be resold. VBS boss Amherd also shared this with her German colleagues and colleagues. In doing so, she also indirectly indicated that she cannot make the decision alone.
The sale therefore stands or falls with parliament. And this is likely to become increasingly benevolent. Because the pressure from inside and outside is increasing day by day.
(cpf)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
