DDPS cedes anti-tank guided missile delivery date to Germany

Bern, 09.10.2024 - The DDPS has agreed to Germany’s request to postpone the delivery of some of the RGW90 shoulder-launched anti-tank guided missiles ordered by both countries. This is compatible with Switzerland’s neutrality. The Federal Council was informed of this decision at its meeting on 9 October

The decision to procure RGW90 shoulder-launched anti-tank guided missiles from German manufacturer Dynamit Nobel Defence GmbH was made as part of the 2016 armament programme. Delivery will be staggered, with batches to be delivered in 2024 and 2025. The first two batches will be delivered according to plan, after which the troops will be trained on the systems. The third batch will now be supplied to Germany, which intends to deliver the anti-tank guided missiles to Ukraine. Because of this arrangement, Switzerland will receive its last batch about a year later than planned, in 2026.

This change in delivery dates is compatible with Switzerland’s neutrality. The systems in the third batch will not be on Swiss territory at any time and are therefore not subject to the export provisions of the War Materiel Act. The DDPS is responsible for setting delivery dates.

Continuation of practice

The DDPS has agreed to a similar request in the past: in 2022, it gave precedence to the UK on an order for NLAW shoulder-launched multi-purpose weapons. Such requests are an opportunity for Switzerland to support important partners in specific areas within the framework of neutrality and without interfering with the introduction of weapons systems. In this way, Switzerland is underlining its intention to strengthen international security cooperation.

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