Vienna, 27 September 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The Swiss parliament on Tuesday supported selling 25 Leopard 2 tanks back to its German manufacturer in a decision that will enable the decommissioned tanks to be transfered to other European countries.

The step had already been approved by Switzerland's National Council. The Swiss government still needs to decide on the sell-back details and timing.

Despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the many European countries passing weapons to Kiev, Switzerland is maintaining its policy of neutrality.

The Swiss War Materiel Act means no war material may be delivered to countries that are involved in an armed conflict.

Bern said this applies regardless of whether a country - like Ukraine - has been attacked and wants to defend itself.

The Swiss government rejected a proposal by the Swiss arms company RUAG in June to sell 96 Leopard 1 tanks that are in storage to Germany so they could be repaired then delivered to Ukraine.

However, the German government asked Switzerland to sell the decommissioned tanks back to the German weapons company Rheinmetall in February, promising that the tanks would not be passed on to Ukraine.

Instead, the decomissioned Swiss tanks are to be used to replenish stocks in EU or NATO countries that are reduced as weapons have been supplied to Ukraine, currently fending off a full-scale Russian invasion.

Germany was "happy and grateful for this decision," said Michael Flügger, the German ambassador to Switzerland. "We need these tanks," he told broadcaster SRF.

However, he criticized the Swiss ban on the transfer of Swiss armaments to Ukraine and said he hoped for an adjustment of the neutrality law.

Otherwise, it would be "difficult to impossible" to continue purchasing weapons or ammunition in Switzerland, Flügger said.

Swiss lawmakers in favour of selling the tanks back to their manufacturer argued that the move was in the interests of Swiss foreign and security policy.

The Council of States, the small chamber of the Swiss parliament, made the decision by 25 votes to 15 with three abstentions.

However, the right-wing SVP unanimously rejected the plan. Switzerland has too few tanks and is currently unable to procure new equipment quickly, said Werner Salzmann, an SVP lawmaker.

Photo: MIA archive