The export of Swiss war materiel is to be made easier. On Wednesday, the Senate decided to give prior authorisation to applications from 25 Western countries. The Senate also wants to allow these countries to re-export Swiss equipment without authorisation. In 2022, the counter-proposal to a popular initiative against arms exports to countries facing civil war, known as the "corrective initiative", came into force. Currently, all sales are prohibited if a country is involved in a conflict or seriously violates human rights. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Parliament wanted a more flexible approach, and the government proposed a time-limited derogation to allow exceptions to the authorisation criteria. Swiss arms industry to be saved But rightwing Senators want to go further. The defence technological and industrial base, which is important for Switzerland's security, must be maintained, said committee rapporteur Brigitte Häberli-Koller of the Centre party.
