Air defence systems lead Switzerland’s arms exports

Air defence systems, armoured vehicles and ammunition are among Switzerland’s leading arms exports, with demand for air defence equipment continuing to rise, SRF reports. Voters will decide on November 29 whether to ease the rules for exporting war materiel.

The proposed changes would allow 36 western partner countries, under certain conditions, to buy Swiss war materiel even if they are involved in an armed conflict, provided the equipment does not give them an advantage in that conflict. The Federal Council could still block exports for foreign, security or neutrality policy reasons.

If voters approve the changes, Switzerland would no longer have to require importing countries to promise not to re-export complete weapons systems without approval from Bern. The government could still demand such a guarantee when foreign, security or neutrality policy considerations require it.

Rheinmetall Air Defence’s systems, produced in Oerlikon and also in Italy and Germany, have topped the export rankings for years. SRF says the geopolitical situation is driving further growth in demand. General Dynamics European Land Systems’ Piranha armoured vehicles, made in Kreuzlingen, make the company Switzerland’s second-largest exporter of war materiel.

Rheinmetall subsidiary RMW Schweiz produces medium-calibre ammunition in Altdorf, Unteriberg and Zurich, placing it among the leading exporters. SwissP Defence, formerly Ruag Ammotec, exports small-calibre ammunition, including rounds for assault rifles, and ranked fourth by export permits from 2019 to 2025.

Thun-based B&T received export permits worth almost half a billion francs for small arms over the same period. Military special forces and police units are among its main customers. Nitrochemie, which produces propellant powder for items such as artillery shells in Wimmis, ranked sixth by the value of its export permits. Rheinmetall owns a majority stake in the company, while state-owned Ruag MRO has a minority stake.