Switzerland to Resell Leopard 2 Tanks to Germany

Germany welcomed Switzerland's decision to allow the resale of some of its German-made Leopard 2 tanks back to Berlin to help rebuild the stock depleted by military assistance to Ukraine. Germany had requested Switzerland in February to resell some of the 96 Leopard 2 tanks in its inventory to the German defense company Rheinmetall. In accordance with Swiss neutrality laws, Berlin confirmed that this military equipment would not be sent to Kyiv but would remain under the possession of Germany, NATO, or a friendly EU member state. Michael Flügger, Germany's ambassador to Switzerland, told Swiss television, "We are very pleased and grateful for this decision. We need these tanks, as they will fill gaps for us and our European partners." Flügger's statement came after the Swiss parliament approved yesterday the decommissioning of 25 Leopard 2 tanks in preparation for their resale to Germany. The Swiss government must now officially support the export of the Leopard 2 tanks to Germany, which is expected to become a routine procedure after Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd stated that the export of tanks to Germany aligns with the neutrality laws of the country and is in the interest of Bern.