Swiss-made Eagle I armored vehicles have been discovered in Ukraine, in violation of a re-export ban, according to the Swiss government. The equipment was handed over to Ukraine by a German company without the necessary approval. The findings were revealed in an investigation conducted by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The Swiss government stated that the Eagle armored cars were originally exported from Switzerland to Denmark in the 1990s. In 2013, Denmark then exported 27 of these vehicles to a German private company, with the consent of Switzerland. The German company, whose name has not been disclosed, had agreed not to re-export the vehicles to third parties without the consent of the Swiss side.
However, the investigation conducted by Swiss authorities found that 11 out of the 27 Eagle I armored vehicles were exported by the German company to Ukraine, with the approval of German export control authorities. The former managing director of the company did not seek approval from SECO to export the vehicles to Ukraine, as he believed that the demilitarized state of the vehicles, with the removal of armored protective coating and windows, made the non-re-export declaration irrelevant.
The Swiss government argues that since the violation of the non-re-export declaration was committed by the former head of the company and not by the German authorities, the consequences should be directed exclusively against the former. As a result, SECO has decided that the export of military materials from Switzerland to the relevant manager will no longer be approved, due to the high risk of their transfer to an undesirable final recipient.
The presence of Swiss-made armored vehicles in Ukraine without proper authorization raises concerns about the potential misuse of military equipment. The Swiss government’s decision to tighten export controls reflects the need to prevent the transfer of such materials to unauthorized parties. The investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to export regulations and ensuring responsible handling of military equipment.
How did Swiss-made armored vehicles end up in Ukraine without proper approval?
Swiss-made armored vehicles, specifically Eagle I vehicles, have recently been discovered in Ukraine, according to the Swiss government. This discovery is a violation of a re-export ban as the equipment was given to Ukraine by a German company without proper approval. The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) conducted an investigation and uncovered these findings.
Originally, the Eagle armored cars were exported from Switzerland to Denmark in the 1990s. In 2013, Denmark then exported 27 of these vehicles to a German private company, with the consent of Switzerland. However, the company, whose name remains undisclosed, agreed not to re-export the vehicles to third parties without the permission of Switzerland.
Unfortunately, the investigation by Swiss authorities revealed that despite the non-re-export agreement, 11 of the 27 armored vehicles were still exported by the German company to Ukraine with the approval of German export control authorities. The former director of the company did not seek approval from SECO to send the vehicles to Ukraine, as he believed the demilitarized state of the vehicles rendered the non-re-export declaration irrelevant.
The Swiss government contends that the violation of the non-re-export declaration was the fault of the former company head and not the German authorities. Therefore, consequences should be directed solely at the former director. Consequently, SECO has decided to no longer approve the export of military materials from Switzerland to the relevant manager due to the high risk of them falling into the wrong hands.
The presence of Swiss-made armored vehicles in Ukraine without proper authorization raises concerns about the potential misuse of military equipment. In response, the Swiss government has decided to tighten export controls to prevent the transfer of materials to unauthorized parties. This investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to export regulations and ensuring responsible handling of military equipment.