The 96 remaining Leopard tanks that Switzerland purchased in the 1980s have long since been retired. But like them «NZZ on Sunday» It has now been reported that security politicians want to reactivate some of the tanks stored in a secret location. “The Ukraine war shows that we cannot do without battle tanks,” said Werner Salzmann, Bernese SVP Council of States and President of the Council of States Security Commission, the “NZZ am Sonntag”.
The Swiss army currently has 134 Leopard II tanks, which were modernized in 2006. According to experts, at least 34 additional tanks would be required for minimum complete equipment.
Central security politician Ida Glanzmann is also positive about the project. as she told the Sunday press: “I would support it if the VBS seriously considered putting these tanks back into service.” The tanks were decommissioned after the end of the Cold War. According to a report by the army, the restart and modernization would cost 350 to 450 million francs.
Switzerland once had 380 Leopard tanks. Of these, over 90 have been sold or disposed of in recent years, while others have been converted into engineering and mine clearance equipment, for example.
Maurer wanted to get rid of her
But are the old tanks any good at all? In 2014, the then Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer presented a “clearing-out plan” for his Defense Department (VBS). The 96 Leo tanks were at the top of the list at the time: they were available for a price “a little more than the scrap iron value”, said Maurer at the time. He announced a task force to dispose of and sell surplus heavy weapons.
You might also be interested in this
Today one hears completely different tones from the VBS: Since the tanks of the western manufacturers have hardly been further developed in the last few decades, the army considers it sensible to bring out the stored tanks and modernize them, he wrote “Daily Gazette” a few days ago. The army did not want to officially confirm this to the media.
Debate on military spending coming up
FDP President Thierry Burkhart was now open to the “NZZ am Sonntag” for upgrading the old Leos. But he suggests passing it on immediately. The federal government could hand them over to a third country, which in turn could deliver its tanks to Ukraine, Burkart suggests. Such an exchange is compatible with Swiss neutrality.
It is no coincidence that the demand for modernization has come at this point in time. On Monday, the National Council will debate more funds for the military in a special session: The defense budget is to increase from CHF 5 billion to CHF 7 billion per year. It is not clear what Defense Minister Viola Amherd (59) wants to use the additional funds for. (you)