Fact Check: The Swiss government approved the sale of 71 Leopard 1 tanks to Rheinmetall at the end of May 2025.
What We Know
On May 28, 2025, the Swiss federal government authorized the sale of 71 Leopard 1 battle tanks by the defense contractor Ruag MRO to Germany. This decision was made while explicitly prohibiting the export of these tanks to Ukraine, in accordance with Switzerland's neutrality laws (source-1). The tanks in question were originally acquired from the Italian Ministry of Defense in 2016 and were intended for resale or as a source of spare parts; they are currently stored in Italy (source-2).
In 2023, a previous attempt to sell these tanks to Germany was blocked due to concerns that they might be transferred to Ukraine, as Swiss law prohibits the export of military equipment to countries involved in armed conflicts (source-5). Following this, Ruag MRO submitted an application to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) for a license to proceed with the sale, but the Swiss government clarified that no license was necessary for sales to Germany, as it is among the countries that can receive military matériel without special authorization (source-6).
Analysis
The claim that the Swiss government approved the sale of 71 Leopard 1 tanks to Rheinmetall at the end of May 2025 is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The authorization was reported by reputable outlets, including SWI swissinfo.ch and Overt Defense, both of which are known for their reliable reporting on military and defense issues (source-1, source-2).
The analysis of the situation indicates that the Swiss government's decision aligns with its longstanding policy of neutrality, which restricts the export of military equipment to conflict zones. The explicit prohibition against transferring the tanks to Ukraine further emphasizes Switzerland's commitment to maintaining its neutral stance in the ongoing conflict (source-5).
The sources used in this fact-check are credible and provide a consistent narrative regarding the sale and the conditions attached to it. There is no indication of bias or misinformation in the reporting, making the information reliable for this analysis.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the Swiss government approved the sale of 71 Leopard 1 tanks to Rheinmetall at the end of May 2025 is accurate. The decision was officially made on May 28, 2025, and aligns with Switzerland's neutrality laws, which prohibit the export of military matériel to countries involved in armed conflicts, specifically barring any transfer of these tanks to Ukraine.
Sources
- Swiss clear Leopard 1 tank sale to Germany, unless reexported to Ukraine
- Swiss Government Authorizes Sale of Leopard 1 Tanks to Germany
- Ruag reaches deal with German firm on 25 disputed Leopard tanks
- Swiss government greenlights Ruag sale of Leopard tanks to Germany
- Swiss-owned battle tanks will not head to Ukraine as country reaffirms neutrality
- Switzerland advances the sale of 71 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Germany under the condition they will not be transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces
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