ZURICH – Switzerland heads to a referendum on easing arms exports

ZURICH, 7 October /ATSH-AA/ – Swiss voters will decide on 29 November whether to ease arms export restrictions under a reform backed by the government and parliament.

The proposed changes would allow exports to countries considered close partners with similar export controls, even if they are involved in armed conflict, except in extraordinary circumstances.

The list includes 19 European countries, alongside the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Argentina. The reform would abolish the general requirement that buyers sign declarations prohibiting re-export without the Swiss government’s approval.

Authorities may nevertheless still request such declarations on a case-by-case basis. Current law bans arms exports to countries involved in armed conflict or committing serious and systematic human rights violations.

Stricter rules introduced in 2022 removed the government’s ability to grant exemptions. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland has refused requests from several European countries to transfer Swiss-made military equipment to Kyiv.

Parliament approved the reform in December 2025, but an opposing alliance collected 75,000 valid signatures to trigger a referendum. Supporters, including right-wing and centre-right parties and arms manufacturers, argue that existing restrictions weaken the industry’s competitiveness and threaten its ability to supply the Swiss army.

Opponents, on the other hand, including the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and civil society groups, warn that the changes could send Swiss weapons to conflict zones and undermine the country’s neutrality and humanitarian tradition.

They say the reform will not increase support for Ukraine, which is excluded from the preferential list. Swiss arms exports rose by 43 percent in 2025 to nearly 950 million Swiss francs ($1.15 billion), with Germany remaining the largest client.