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Switzerland wants to sell 96 Leopard 1 tanks for the needs of Ukraine

Swiss defense giant Ruag intends to sell 96 Leopard 1 battle tanks. According to plans, these tanks will first go to Germany and then to Ukraine. Contrary to the negative opinions of the political elite, Ruag has officially applied for permission to export military equipment.

Seven years ago, Ruag acquired these tanks in Italy with a view to reselling them or using them for spare parts. These combat vehicles are still stored on Italian territory. Now Ruag intends to sell them for use in Ukraine.

Ruag spokeswoman Kirsten Hammerich confirmed this information to the Swiss television channel SRF. She pointed out that military vehicles must first be transferred to the manufacturer - the German company Rheinmetall, and then sent to Ukraine.

The final decision on this issue will be made by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), a division of the Swiss Ministry of Economy. It is worth noting that this is not the first time this issue has been considered at the federal level. At the beginning of 2023, Ruag had already requested information about the possibility of obtaining an export permit for these tanks.

Experts, in turn, believe that Switzerland is unlikely to approve such actions.

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