Heinrich “Henri” Thomet: Swiss arms dealer and inspiration for “War Dogs”
Heinrich “Henri” Thomet is a Swiss arms dealer known for co-founding the arms manufacturing company Brügger & Thomet AG (B&T) and his involvement in international arms deals, including those portrayed in the movie “War Dogs”. He is described as a well-connected and highly regarded figure within the international arms trade.
Here’s a breakdown of key facts about Heinrich “Henri” Thomet:
Co-founder of Brügger & Thomet AG: Thomet, alongside Karl Brügger, established the Swiss arms manufacturer B&T in 1991 (some sources say 1992). He later sold his shares and departed the company in 2005.
Continuation in Arms Brokering: After leaving B&T, Thomet continued his involvement in arms dealing through BT International, a Swiss-registered family company. BT International currently owns Tara Group, a weapons manufacturer based in Montenegro.
“War Dogs” Inspiration: Thomet served as the inspiration for the character Henry Girard in the movie “War Dogs”. The film depicts his alleged involvement in the illicit arms trade alongside David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli.
Arms Deals and Controversies: Thomet has been linked to various arms deals, including a 2007 deal in which Albania sold dated Chinese ammunition to the US. He has also faced accusations of arms smuggling and has been investigated by US law enforcement.
US Watch List: In 2006, Thomet was placed on a US Department of State watch list for potential arms traffickers. The reasons for this designation remain classified by the CIA.
Middleman in AEY’s Afghan Contract: Thomet played a crucial role as a middleman in a roughly $300 million contract secured by AEY Inc. to supply munitions to Afghan security forces. He reportedly purchased ammunition from an Albanian state-owned arms-dealing company, MEICO, and facilitated its acquisition by AEY at inflated prices.
Key takeaways
Heinrich “Henri” Thomet is a central figure in the international arms trade, known for his business acumen and involvement in controversial deals. His story, albeit dramatized, has been brought to a wider audience through the film “War Dogs”.