Swiss Weapons Makers, Stymied by Ukraine Ban, Find Solace in Qatar Export Surge
- Weapon sales grew to $1 billion; Middle East among top buyers
- Industry says neutrality restrictions deprive it of business
This article is for subscribers only.
Switzerland’s exports of arms and ammunition grew by almost a third last year, even though manufacturers complain the country’s longstanding neutrality puts them in an existential bind.
Swiss-made arms worth 955 million Swiss francs ($1 billion) were exported in 2022, up 29% from a year earlier, the government said Tuesday. Shipments to Europe now only account for half of total exports — down from about two thirds in 2021 — while more shipments are going to the Middle East.