The Swiss authorities reported that they had rejected the request of the armaments company Ruag AG for permission to sell Leopard 1 A5 tanks in Germany for their subsequent transfer to Ukraine.
"The Federal Council on June 28 rejected a request from Ruag AG concerning the export of 96 Leopard 1 A5 tanks destined for Ukraine, as this is contrary to current legislation," the Swiss Federal Council said in a statement.
The council explained that such a sale would be a violation of the laws in force in Switzerland. In addition, the deal "would violate Switzerland's position of neutrality."
Ruag AG sent an export request to the authorities on June 27 for the resale of 96 used and non-working Leopard 1 A5 tanks. The tanks are currently in storage in Italy and need repairs in Germany before being sent anywhere.
Leopard 1 - Germany's main battle tank until the 1980s. Produced from 1965 to 1984, it was in service with Germany until 2010. More than a dozen countries still have it in their armed forces, including Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Italy, Chile, Australia, Canada; the tank is constantly being upgraded. In total, more than 4.7 thousand tanks of this model were produced. The tank is equipped with a 105-mm rifled gun, ammunition - 60 rounds. The tank is equipped with an optical stereoscopic rangefinder, binocular, monocular with a night channel and telescopic sights. The speed of the Leopard 1 on the highway is 62 km/h, the cruising range is 600 km.
"The Federal Council on June 28 rejected a request from Ruag AG concerning the export of 96 Leopard 1 A5 tanks destined for Ukraine, as this is contrary to current legislation," the Swiss Federal Council said in a statement.
The council explained that such a sale would be a violation of the laws in force in Switzerland. In addition, the deal "would violate Switzerland's position of neutrality."
Ruag AG sent an export request to the authorities on June 27 for the resale of 96 used and non-working Leopard 1 A5 tanks. The tanks are currently in storage in Italy and need repairs in Germany before being sent anywhere.
Leopard 1 - Germany's main battle tank until the 1980s. Produced from 1965 to 1984, it was in service with Germany until 2010. More than a dozen countries still have it in their armed forces, including Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Italy, Chile, Australia, Canada; the tank is constantly being upgraded. In total, more than 4.7 thousand tanks of this model were produced. The tank is equipped with a 105-mm rifled gun, ammunition - 60 rounds. The tank is equipped with an optical stereoscopic rangefinder, binocular, monocular with a night channel and telescopic sights. The speed of the Leopard 1 on the highway is 62 km/h, the cruising range is 600 km.