Arms exports National Council committee wants to allow more exports of war material
In future, Swiss arms manufacturers should also be able to supply war material to countries in armed conflict. The transfer of weapons should also be possible in principle. This is what the responsible National Council committee wants.
11.11.2025, 16:32
11.11.2025, 16:50
SDA
The National Council's Security Policy Committee (SIK-N) approved the corresponding amendments to the War Material Act by 16 votes to 9, as reported by the parliamentary services on Tuesday. The next decision will be made by the upper chamber, probably in the winter session in December.
The National Council committee's proposals go further than those of the Federal Council. The latter had requested a so-called derogation competence for exports of war material. It wants the authority to deviate from the approval criteria for foreign arms deals in exceptional circumstances and to safeguard Switzerland's interests.
It intends to make use of this authority above all in relation to countries with which Switzerland trades in war material but to which deliveries cannot be made under current law. It is currently prohibited to export to countries that are involved in internal or international conflicts.
Arms industry versus peacebuilding
According to the plans of the SIK-N, countries that have a similar export regime to Switzerland should be able to be supplied with war material even if they are involved in an armed conflict, provided that Switzerland's foreign or security policy interests do not require a refusal and there are no exceptional circumstances. When deciding on such an export request, Switzerland's neutrality policy interests must also be expressly taken into account.
In future, non-re-export declarations should not be required for the transfer of Swiss war material by recipient states, as the majority of the SIK-N demands. However, the Federal Council should be able to request such declarations from state final recipients if foreign, neutrality or security policy reasons make this necessary.
According to the press release, the majority is of the opinion that Switzerland's security must be guaranteed and the defense capability of the Swiss Armed Forces must be sustainably strengthened in view of the constantly deteriorating geopolitical situation. An important element for this is a strong and efficient armaments industry.
A minority, on the other hand, criticized the fact that a relaxation of the War Material Act was not in the interests of neutral Switzerland, which should be particularly committed to peace and the protection of human rights. In addition, Ukraine, which is exercising its legitimate right to self-defense under the UN Charter, would not benefit from the proposed regulations.
