Executive Summary
Switzerland exported war material valued at CHF 948.2 million to 64 countries in 2025 – an increase of nearly 43 percent compared to 2024. Germany is the largest buyer with CHF 386.4 million, followed by the USA, Hungary, Italy, and Luxembourg. The focus is on ammunition (43 percent) and armored vehicles (24 percent). 91 percent of exports went to countries with strict international export control standards. Parliament amended the War Material Act in December 2025 to grant the Federal Council greater flexibility in exports to conflict regions.
Persons
- Federal Council (Decision-making authority)
Topics
- Arms exports and export control
- Swiss neutrality policy
- Ukraine conflict and Middle East escalation
- War material legislation
- International export control regimes
Clarus Lead
Swiss companies exported significantly more war material in 2025 despite geopolitical tensions. The 43-percent increase to nearly 950 million francs substantially exceeds general merchandise export growth of 17 percent and signals rising demand from NATO countries. Germany dominates as a buyer with over 40 percent of exports. Simultaneously, political debate is intensifying: Parliament has reformed the War Material Act to give the Federal Council scope for exports to conflict countries – citing neutrality law and national interests. The referendum deadline runs until 17 April 2026.
Detailed Summary
The increase in war material exports of CHF 283.5 million (from 664.7 to 948.2 million) indicates structural shifts in European arms demand. The focus on Germany, the USA, and Hungary reflects NATO rearmament. Particularly relevant are deliveries of ammunition components (CHF 215 million) and armored vehicles to Germany (CHF 124.8 million) – categories directly linked to European security concerns.
Geographic distribution shows shifts: European exports rose from 81 to 86 percent, while Asian deliveries fell from 6.4 to 3.3 percent. This underscores reorientation toward Western allies. The fact that 91 percent went to countries listed in Annex 2 of the War Material Ordinance – states with four international export control obligations – is intended to ensure control standards but remains controversial given the overall volumes.
The parliamentary legislative amendment of December 2025 marks a turning point: the Federal Council gains flexibility in applying neutrality law and can henceforth approve exports to conflict countries if "extraordinary circumstances" and Swiss interests justify this. This directly targets the Ukraine situation, where Switzerland has thus far refused to allow transfers of Swiss war material. In parallel, a de facto embargo against Iran and Israel remains in place.
Key Statements
- Massive Increase: War material exports rose 43 percent in 2025 to CHF 948.2 million; Germany is the main buyer with CHF 386.4 million
- Product Mix: Ammunition and components (43 percent) as well as armored vehicles (24 percent) dominate; exports concentrate on NATO countries and partners
- Legal Reorientation: Parliamentary reform enables the Federal Council to deviate from export bans in conflict countries citing neutrality law and national interests
- Control Standards: 91 percent went to countries with international export control obligations; concerns regarding overall volumes remain
- Referendum Option: Until 17 April 2026, citizens can challenge the legislative amendment through referendum
Critical Questions
Data Quality: How is the 43-percent increase justified – does it result from increased order volumes or from approvals for projects still pending in 2024? What time delays exist between approval and export?
Conflicts of Interest: To what extent do economic interests of Swiss arms companies and their associations influence lobbying for more liberal export rules? Are there transparency requirements for donations to parties that supported the legislative amendment?
Neutrality Interpretation: The new formulation "extraordinary circumstances" and "interests of Switzerland" is vague. Who specifically defines these criteria, and how is it prevented that geopolitics undermines neutrality? Does the Swiss interpretation of neutrality law differ from other countries?
Ukraine Specificity: Why are components (under 50-percent manufacturing cost share) excluded from the embargo? Could this function as a circumvention mechanism to indirectly deliver arms to Ukraine?
Middle East Consistency: Since 28 February 2026, US exports are neither approved nor rejected. How long can this status quo persist, and what criteria lead to a decision? Does this waiting period contradict the demand for "restraint"?
Control Implementation: How is it monitored that war material going to Germany or other NATO partners is not redirected to third countries? What sanctions threaten violations?
Parliamentary Control: Does Parliament receive real-time information on approvals under the new criteria, or does transparency only occur in the annual report? Is a veto option provided for Parliament?
Referendum Chances: Which organizations are working on the referendum campaign? How likely is successful signature collection by 17 April 2026?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Export of War Material in 2025 – Press Release of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) of 10 March 2026 https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/TH6DWe30NGhy7ClVBW22P
Supplementary Sources:
- Annual Report 2025: Export Control in the Field of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) under War Material Legislation (PDF)
- War Material Exports 2025 – Detailed Statistics (PDF)
Verification Status: ✓ 10.03.2026
This text was created with the assistance of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 10.03.2026