The dumping is causing strong reactions and protests among politicians dealing with security issues.
Switzerland disposes of anti-aircraft weapons – today the authorities dispose of 60 defense systems, the first tranche of the Rapier weapons system has already been dismantled, according to NZZ.
“It is planned that all systems will be dismantled and disposed of under these and other trenches,” said Kai-Gunnar Sievert, a spokesman for Armasuisse’s federal defense procurement office.
The Swiss Army purchased Rapiers in the 1980s. The installation includes a launch pad and a radar system. In 2007, the federal government again invested a lot of money in modernization: then the army bought 2,000 modern guided missiles. Now they are also being scrapped as Switzerland is decommissioning the Rapier from the end of 2022.
“Missiles are old, but not too old,” said Peter Schneider, former editor-in-chief of the Allgemeine Schweizerische Militaerzeitschrift (ASMZ). The British defended the 2012 London Olympics with the Rapier. “They can be used effectively against low-flying targets such as drones,” said the military expert.
A rapier can also be used to fight fighters or helicopters. According to Schneider, in this way Ukraine can protect the civilian infrastructure.
The dumping is causing a strong reaction among politicians dealing with security issues. “It is absurd that we are dumping defensive weapons in Switzerland,” said Francois Pointe, member of the National Council of the Green Liberals. He supports the transfer of arms to Ukraine. As the vice-president of the Security Policy Commission emphasizes, this will be possible by law.
The rapier is a British-made system. Therefore, the rules that apply to rockets are very different than to Swiss weapons. According to the decision of the Federal Council of 2006, foreign systems taken out of service must be sold back to the country of origin as a matter of priority. And as the Federal Council directly emphasizes in its decision: “Without any conditions.” Switzerland shall not request a re-export ban.
However, as mentioned, Bern did not receive a corresponding request from London. The federal government decided to scrap the Rapiers in 2019 and never asked if England was interested in them – even after the war, Armasuisse confirmed. “It is unusual for Switzerland to actively offer decommissioned military systems for sale,” Armasuisse spokesman Kai-Gunnar Sievert said.
The UK is phasing out Rapier missiles by 2021. The British Ministry of Defense said in response to a request that they dispose of all missiles before the start of war. The disposal drew criticism on the island. The main thesis is that these weapons will help Ukraine.
Recall that the Council of Cantons – the upper house of the Swiss Parliament, after many hours of debate, rejected the petition, which provided for the provision of Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine.
Source: korrespondent
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