Swiss Leopards to fill holes left by Ukraine-bound tanks
Retired Swiss Army Leopard MBTs have been sold to Rheinmetall. (Photo: Swiss Army)
Switzerland has sold 25 retired Leopard 2 MBTs but only after Germany asserted that the tanks would stay with NATO or EU partners, to respect Swiss policy of neutrality.
Switzerland has sold 25 retired Leopard 2 MBTs to Rheinmetall on the condition the specific vehicles will not see service with Ukraine as the Swiss government’s continues to maintain clear neutrality.
The vehicles will be used to replace other tanks supplied to the Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.
The deal has been a year in the making, coming after a vote in the Swiss parliament in September and final formal approval from the government earlier this month, following an export request by the Swiss Army.
Switzerland’s strict adherence to it policy of neutrality and regulations around export rules meant the
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![“A staggering rate of change”: how experience combating IEDs is being applied to the C-UAS arena]()
“A staggering rate of change”: how experience combating IEDs is being applied to the C-UAS arena
The scale of the current escalation in drone attacks is fuelling demand for C-UAS technology that must address a rapidly evolving and expanding threat. Against this background, important lessons can be learned from the battle against IEDs, with networked responses and dispersed capabilities essential to deliver enduring protection.
-
![Lockheed Martin plans a major expansion in Canada following the HIMARS acquisition]()
Lockheed Martin plans a major expansion in Canada following the HIMARS acquisition
The HIMARS acquisition could deliver launchers within 18 months while driving new investments in Canadian manufacturing, technology and defence supply chains.
-
![Air defence at scale: Europe’s challenge of cost, integration and sustainability]()
Air defence at scale: Europe’s challenge of cost, integration and sustainability
The evolution of aerial threats is driving renewed investment in ground-based air defence across Europe. Yet beyond capability, a more pressing challenge is emerging: how to sustain air defence at scale, as rising costs, limited stockpiles and industrial production constraints place increasing pressure on existing structures.
