CHRISTOF FORSTER Swiss arms exports are a highly emotive issue. According to conservative supporters of parliament’s bill to relax export restrictions, Switzerland’s defence industry needs to be safeguarded. The domestic market alone is too small to sustain production. And a functional arms sector is crucial to Switzerland being able to defend itself. The debate surrounding this issue has been fuelled in recent years by foreign criticism of Swiss export restrictions. For example, the Federal Council’s decision to block the re-export of Swiss-made Gepard anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine in 2022 was met with dismay in Germany. A representative of one particular arms manufacturer told the “NZZ” newspaper that some countries had made the following abundantly clear: “No Chinese, no Swiss”. Berne, he noted, had been lumped in with Beijing. At the end of 2025, parliament voted to relax the War Materiel Act (WMA) following years of debate, approving a bill that would allow Swiss arms manufacturers to export military hardware to any of 25 Western countries, should these countries ever be involved in an armed conflict. These are countries that apply arms export controls equivalent to Switzerland’s. Federal Council veto The Federal Council would be able to ban exports if it believes that Swiss interests are in jeopardy with regard to foreign affairs, neutrality, or security. There would still be a ban on exports to countries that are carrying out serious and systematic human rights violations or are liable to use weapons against their own people. The purpose of this is to convey to primarily European NATO countries that Switzerland is a reliable partner. These 25 countries would also be allowed to re-export Swiss arms; at present, they have to ask Berne for permission to do so. Swiss arms exports – should restrictions be loosened? Parliament has voted to relax the export restrictions outlined in the War Materiel Act. Supporters of this move believe it will strengthen the domestic arms industry and is important to Switzerland’s security. The matter will now be decided at the ballot box on 29 November 2026, after a referendum was called to contest the bill. A left-green alliance submitted the necessary number of signatures to force a referendum opposing the bill. National Councillor Priska Seiler Graf (canton of Zurich) speaks into a megaphone. Photo: Keystone This, again, would be at the discretion of the Federal Council, which may exercise a veto as and when deemed necessary. Even under the amended WMA, a ban on direct exports and re-exports to Ukraine would still apply, because Switzerland, as a neutral country, is obliged to treat all warring parties equally. Left-wing parties and NGOs have called a referendum opposing the bill. They say it is not about Ukraine at all, as proponents of the bill initially argued, but ensuring that the Swiss defence industry can make as much money as possible from the build-up of military forces around the world. By loosening the rules, Switzerland is forfeiting control over its exports. And it will increase the risk of Swiss weapons ending up in countries like Saudi Arabia. 0.21 percent of all exports In 2025, Swiss arms manufacturers exported products worth 948 million Swiss francs, most of which were ammunition, armoured wheeled vehicles, and small arms. This is equivalent to 0.21 percent of all Swiss goods exports. Arms exports increased by 43 percent last year. Germany, the US, Hungary, Italy, and Luxembourg were the five main recipients. Ammunition and ammunition components accounted for almost half, armoured vehicles and their components for a quarter, and weapons of all calibres for 10 percent of all exported products. According to the federal government, the Swiss defence industry supports around 14,000 fulltime jobs when suppliers are included. We will review the results of the popular votes of 27 September in the next edition of our magazine. Swiss arms exports increased by 43 percent in 2025. Swiss Review / October 2026 / No. 4 13 Politics
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