Many politicians are concerned that this country may lose the ability to produce its own ammunition.
Currently, a firm in Thun in canton Bern, Swiss P Defence, is this country’s sole maker of small arms ammunition. But it was sold to the Italian company, Beretta, in 2022.
Ironically, the current situation is making business harder. Orders from other European countries are drying up as strict re-export rules could limit where the ammunition is sent.
Switzerland, due to neutrality, does not allow war material to be sent to third parties.
Swiss P Defence says its warehouses are full, but with no buyers. It has already laid off several skilled employees – many have moved to competitors in other European countries - which are likely to benefit from increased orders.
There are now louder calls for the strict rules on re-exporting arms to be reassessed. Parliament is expected to discuss the situation in the summer.
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