Switzerland transfers the first batch of Leopard 2 tanks to Germany

The Swiss Federal Ministry of Defense and Civil Protection in Bern announced on Tuesday the transfer of the first 9 of 25 Leopard 2 battle tanks to Germany.

The Swiss Federal Ministry of Defense explained that the Federal Armaments Office delivered these tanks to the manufacturer, the German company Rheinmetall, this morning.

The tanks were transported to Germany via railway, according to the statement; It’s expected that Rheinmetall will re-equip the tanks to operate again.

Another 9 tanks are scheduled to be transported on a train, Wednesday, and the ministry said that the rest of the tanks are expected to be transported to Germany via land.

It should be noted that Germany asked Switzerland in February last year to purchase 25 tanks out of a total of 96 Leopard 2 tanks that were out of service.

This deal was controversial, as the Swiss conservative parties rejected it as it conflicted with Switzerland’s policy of neutrality.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck and his colleague Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that these tanks won’t be delivered to Ukraine.

Rather, their aim is to fill the deficit in Germany or with partner countries in the European Union or NATO after these countries provided Ukraine with tanks from its stocks.

The Swiss government approved the deal based on this condition.

It should be noted that Switzerland doesn’t allow the supply of weapons to warring parties, based on its policy of neutrality, regardless of whether these weapons are used in attack or defense.

The same principle also applies to ammunition, which caused great dissatisfaction because Germany and other countries were seeking to supply Swiss-produced tank ammunition to Ukraine.