The export of ammunition and weapons should be significantly simplified. (symbol image)Image: keystone
The commoners worked intensively behind the scenes on a plan to save the Swiss arms industry. The SP and the Greens are foaming with anger. They are already threatening the referendum.
November 12, 2025, 05:07November 12, 2025, 05:07
Othmar von Matt / ch media
The SP and the Greens’ nerves are on edge. “In the future, Swiss weapons should be allowed to be delivered again to countries with civil war such as Sudan as well as to states with serious human rights violations such as Saudi Arabia,” SP National Councilor Fabian Molina was quoted as saying in the SP’s statement. And Green National Councilor Gerhard Andrey speaks of a “gift to the arms industry”. The SP and the Greens are already announcing the referendum if Parliament approves.
But: what happened? The Center, FDP and SVP brought through a new solution for easing the War Materials Act in the National Council’s security policy commission with a vote of 16:9. It essentially comprises two points.
SP National Councilor Fabian Molina is appalled by the concessions to the industry.Image: keystone
Firstly, arms exports: She is significantly relieved. In the event of extraordinary circumstances to protect Switzerland’s foreign and security policy interests, the Federal Council should in future be able to deviate from the approval criteria for foreign transactions when exporting weapons. In addition, countries that have an export regime similar to Switzerland should be able to be supplied with war material even if these countries are in an armed conflict.
Secondly, the transfer of war material: If the Commission has its way, Switzerland should forgo non-re-export declarations in the future. Previously, every country that purchased war material had to sign such a declaration. However, the Federal Council should be able to demand declarations from final state recipients. Only one country cannot benefit: Ukraine. According to sources, this was a condition of the SVP.
The Commission leaves no doubt as to why the majority decided to take these steps. She wants to strengthen the army’s defense capability. A strong arms industry is essential for this.
It was parliamentarians and faction leaders from the center, FDP and SVP who developed this new solution in intensive discussions. Even Christoph Blocher, the initiator of the neutrality initiative, was consulted. The SVP does not want to torpedo this with the relaxation.
There is great anger on the left. “The Center and the FDP agree to a solution that helps all despots, but not Ukraine,” criticizes Molina. “And the SVP agrees to a solution that is untenable in terms of neutrality policy.”
What role did Swissmem play?
The question is what role Swissmem, the association for SMEs and the tech industry, played in this civil solution. There are rumors circulating that director Stefan Brupbacher is said to have played a key role in developing the solution. Brupbacher emphasizes: “We have been in contact with all solution-oriented parties and groups for years and are now happy that they have found a common solution.”
Brupbacher is not afraid of going to the polls, as the Left has already announced.
“This solution is capable of gaining a majority in front of the people.”
The National Council’s security policy commission had already decided in August that, as under the previous law, no supplies would be made to states that seriously and systematically violated human rights and in which there was a high risk that these goods would be used against the civilian population. Also excluded are states where there is a high risk that the material will be passed on to an unwanted end recipient.
In its press release, Swissmem emphasizes that the Commission’s decisions are “good news for the defense industry in Switzerland” – and states unequivocally:
“Without these legal adjustments, it cannot survive economically.”
(aargauerzeitung.ch)