Switzerland is sending state-owned arms manufacturer Ruag AG for an inspection after it failed to sell nearly 100 tanks that would have been delivered to Ukraine for use in the war against Russia. This is reported by Bloomberg.
The country's Defense Ministry has turned to external auditors to investigate the controversial deal with German company Rheinmetall AG, which was blocked due to a violation of Switzerland's neutrality. The ministry is also considering a review of the relationship between the company and the government, according to an official statement released on Monday.
Ruag intended to sell the inactive Leopard I tanks to Rheinmetall, which planned to restore them and transfer them to Ukraine. However, the Swiss authorities stopped the deal in June because it violated the country's neutral status. The tanks were originally purchased in Italy in 2016 and left there for storage, but "inconsistencies" arose in the purchase process, according to the statement.
With national elections approaching in October, this situation could lead to a renewed focus on Switzerland's traditional neutrality.
After the former executive director of Ruag, Brigitte Beck, was forced to resign due to a proposal to continue supplying Swiss weapons to Ukraine. The new director, Nicolas Perrin, emphasized that the country should reconsider its international position in an increasingly interconnected world.
This provoked a reaction from the right-wing radical Swiss People's Party, which is the strongest force in the parliament. They stated that the peace and stability of Switzerland depends on its neutrality, which is not subject to discussion.
