An armaments company in Switzerland manufactures special ammunition for German Gepard tanks that were given to Ukraine. But the Swiss government refuses to release the supply of ammunition. The chair of the German Defense Committee is demanding consequences.
The chairwoman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, calls for a fundamental review of the German ammunition supply chains. Germany can no longer make itself dependent on countries like Switzerland – as in the case of the ammunition for the anti-aircraft gun tank Gepard, said the FDP politician in Berlin. She also pointed out that ammunition worth 20 billion euros or more would have to be bought in the coming years. Switzerland had blocked the transfer of cheetah ammunition for the second time on Thursday and referred to its own neutrality “in the relationship between Russia and Ukraine”.
The Gepard tanks are German-made, were retired by the Bundeswehr and given to Ukraine to fight against Russia. They are armed with a twin 35mm cannon. The anti-aircraft ammunition for this is manufactured by the arms manufacturer Oerlikon, which belongs to Rheinmetall but is based in Switzerland. However, Switzerland refuses to deliver ammunition to crisis areas.
“Of course we have, even if it’s difficult, to accept as friendly neighbors if Switzerland doesn’t want to pass on ammunition due to its neutral status,” said Strack-Zimmermann. “It is unfortunate, however, as the ammunition for the cheetah is needed primarily to repel airstrikes on wheat-laden ships in Ukrainian ports. Failure to do so will eventually result in starvation for 190 million people worldwide devices.”
For the defense politician, there are also security policy issues. “What actually happens if Germany or one of the NATO countries is attacked and the ammunition manufactured in Switzerland is not delivered due to this ‘neutrality’?”
Strack-Zimmermann pointed out that the Bundeswehr also obtains ammunition from Switzerland for its Mantis anti-aircraft weapon system, ammunition for the main armament of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle and for the Tornado and Eurofighter combat aircraft. “In terms of security policy, the world has changed since February 24, and Germany must immediately check the relevant delivery routes when ordering ammunition and change or adjust them if necessary,” she said, referring to the day Russia began its attack on Ukraine Has. She demanded: “Reliability in this situation is essential.”
Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin wrote to German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht on Thursday that Bern could not agree to such a shipment of Swiss-made war material if the recipient country was involved in an international conflict. Berlin had previously asked Switzerland about the approximately 12,400 cartridges of Swiss origin for the anti-aircraft gun tank for Ukraine. At the beginning of June, Parmelin formally rejected the export for the first time with reference to Swiss neutrality.
(This article was first published on Sunday, November 06, 2022.)
