Leopard 2 tank exercises take place in Switzerland

In Switzerland, near the French border, soldiers on May 5 performed exercises on a Leopard 2 tank, an armored vehicle that has sparked debate about Switzerland's role in European defense.

This was reported by Reuters.

Switzerland has 134 Leopard 2 tanks in service, some of which are being used these days during exercises of the country's 21st Tank School in the northwestern canton of Jura.

In total, Switzerland has 96 Leopard 2 tanks in storage. Germany has asked Switzerland to sell the mothballed Leopard 2 tanks to arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, which would help fill the gaps in the armaments of European Union and NATO member states that have been sending these tanks to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

According to neutrality laws and a separate arms embargo, Switzerland is prohibited from sending weapons directly to a country at war.

Author - Olena Madiak, 05/05/2023