Latest Arms Exports news and updates from Switzerland. AI-curated articles covering Arms Exports topics.
An alliance of left-wing parties and NGOs has successfully forced a referendum on a parliamentary decision to relax rules on exporting war materiel, arguing the move contradicts Switzerland's neutrality while still prohibiting re-exports to conflict zones like Ukraine.
Citing its principle of neutrality, the Swiss Federal Council announced it will no longer approve new licences for arms exports to the United States for the duration of the current conflict in the Middle East.
Amid growing global threats, the Swiss government is moving to significantly bolster its national security by seeking enhanced powers for its intelligence service, proposing a VAT hike for military spending, and easing its stringent arms export rules.
Swiss parliament has approved an easing of its strict rules on the export and re-export of war materiel to countries in conflict. The move follows pressure from European nations and the Swiss defense industry after requests to send Swiss-made ammunition to Ukraine were denied.
From trusted Swiss news outlets