Finance
Swiss close in on relaxing restrictions on arms exports
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Swiss parliament plans to ease arms export laws, balancing industry support with neutrality. Direct exports to conflict zones remain banned.
ZURICH, Dec 3 (Reuters) - The Swiss parliament is poised to relax restrictions on weapons exports, a significant but delicate shift that aims to support the domestic arms industry without compromising the country's neutrality.
The lower house of parliament on Tuesday approved a change in the law to make weapons exports easier, and the Swiss upper house is expected to vote on it on Thursday. The measure is widely expected to pass, according to parliamentary sources.
Switzerland does not allow arms exports if the destination country is involved in an internal or international conflict, or if it seriously violates human rights. Direct export of weapons to Ukraine will remain prohibited with the law change.
Under the changes, the governing Federal Council will in future have discretion to decide which arms sales are permitted in order to reduce the risk that Switzerland ends up indirectly supplying countries engaged in conflict, such as Ukraine.
The Federal Council's initial proposal, submitted in February, amended the current export restrictions so they can be circumvented in extraordinary circumstances.
Supporting the arms industry while upholding a strict neutrality is an awkward balancing act for Switzerland.
Swiss weapons sales have come under pressure due to the export curbs and advocates for the arms industry argue it will struggle to compete if they are not eased.
The law change could face a referendum if it passes.
(Writing by Dave Graham, editing by John Revill)
Arms export refers to the sale and transfer of weapons and military equipment from one country to another. It is regulated by international laws and agreements to prevent misuse and ensure compliance with human rights standards.
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