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Arms makers leaving Switzerland

Monday, 3 November 2025 06:30

Swiss ammunition makers are feeling the squeeze of tight export laws.

The Solothurn-based company Saltech is shifting part of its production to Hungary, hoping to sidestep restrictions that have made it harder to sell abroad. 

The move affects 12.7-millimeter cartridges used in heavy machine guns -  including by the Swiss Army.

The case highlights broader troubles for Switzerland’s arms industry, already hit by layoffs at Swiss P Defence and falling demand from NATO buyers. 

There’s now a debate whether to relax export rules to help struggling firms, but the government remains reluctant to change course.

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