German Ambassador to Switzerland Michael Fluegger said “We expect Switzerland to jump over its neutralist shadow in certain areas,” in an interview with Radio SRF’s “Samstagsrundschau” on April 1. Specifically, the 25 mothballed battle tanks of the Swiss Army, which the Security Policy Commission of the Swiss Parliament’s National Council wants to cede to Germany, to replace the tanks that were delivered to Ukraine.
If the amendment to the War Matériel Act were challenged and blocked by a referendum, Fluegger threatened that “it means in the future for all NATO partners that you can’t rely on Switzerland.”
The Swiss tabloid Blick reported yesterday that Swiss tank officers are furious and showing fierce resistance. “The commission is seriously endangering Switzerland’s independence,” warns the Officers Association for Tanks (OG) Panzer. “The Swiss army already does not have enough tanks.”
Germany had officially asked whether Switzerland could provide some of the 96 “Leos” tanks stored in eastern Switzerland. Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd is also open to a deal. The Officers’ Association for Tanks, however, insists that these Leopard tanks should be reactivated and brought up to date. “Today, the stocks are geared solely to repetition courses. One battalion at a time always trains on the same tanks,” says OG President Erich Muff. “But the stocks are already insufficient for an emergency.” Muff calculates: For national defense, a total of at least three mechanized tank brigades are needed. With reserves, that would be well over 300 Leopard tanks needed. However, only 134 tanks are currently in service. Added to this are the 96 vehicles mothballed “solely to save money,” for a total of 230.
