In the Swiss city of Thun, a major fire broke out at the facility of Swiss weapons manufacturer Brügger & Thomet (B&T) on the night of October 29. The Bern cantonal police consider arson the main version of what happened.
B&T also supplied APC9 PRO-G submachine guns to Ukrainian security agencies. In addition, Ukrainian companies produced licensed versions of B&T APR sniper rifles and GL-06 grenade launchers.
In particular, in 2023 the Ukrainian company Ukrnafta reported financing the purchase of 100 single-shot grenade launchers developed by B&T and produced in Ukraine. The Ukrainian FORT-600A is described as a licensed version of the Swiss GL-06.
B&T owner Karl Brügger estimated the damage at 12–20 million Swiss francs, or roughly $15–24 million. The company said the main building, the shop and the shooting range will be closed until further notice, and that it will be able to resume full operations no earlier than three to four months from now.
A video appeared online in which, according to Swiss media, people in black clothing throw an incendiary device toward wooden pallets near the building. Police did not confirm the authenticity of the recording and did not name suspects, but said the investigation is proceeding “in all directions.”
A number of European outlets link the attack to far-left activists. In a circulated statement, responsibility is claimed by persons who name the GL-06 grenade launcher, known in France as the LBD 40 and used by police to fire rubber bullets, as the target of the plant.
