Switzerland built an arms industry but still relies on imports

Switzerland developed from an arms importer into a producer and exporter, but remains dependent on other countries for modern, complex weapons systems, SRF reports. The history comes as voters prepare to decide whether to loosen the country’s war material law.

Before the 19th century, weapons production in the Swiss Confederacy was small-scale and largely crafts-based, making items such as halberds, swords and lances. The country bought large quantities of firearms from neighbouring countries, said military historian Michael Olsansky of ETH Zurich’s Military Academy.

A shift began after the federal state was founded in 1848. The military department pursued a policy of replacing imports with domestic production. The Swiss Industrial Company, or SIG, in Neuhausen am Rheinfall was among the first to benefit, producing the Vetterli rifle, the first modern Swiss infantry rifle.

As demand grew, federal weapons and ammunition factories were established, particularly in Thun, during the 1860s and 1870s. The wars of the 19th and 20th centuries accelerated the industry’s development. Switzerland was often behind the times at the start of the world wars, Olsansky said, and had to catch up under time pressure. Private arms companies also emerged during the interwar period.

These firms made weapons for the Swiss army and for export, including to countries Olsansky described as both problematic and unproblematic. Switzerland became an arms exporter in the 20th century, although it remains a relatively small player internationally. The Cold War highlighted the country’s reliance on imports for large, complex weapons systems.

On November 29, voters are due to decide on a proposal from the government and parliament to allow war material to be supplied to partner states under certain conditions, even if they are involved in an armed conflict. Mostly left-wing parties and organisations have called a referendum against the change.