Switzerland delivers DIGGER E-250 mine clearance device to Ukraine
The Swiss Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) is handing over a mine clearing machine developed and manufactured by the Swiss DIGGER foundation to the Ukrainian civil disaster relief service (State Emergency Service of Ukraine, SESU). According to a press release from the DDPS, this is a remotely controlled tracked vehicle the size of a small bulldozer. This vehicle could destroy anti-personnel mines with a milling machine or cause them to explode, thereby rendering them harmless.
Neben der Räummaschine enthält das Unterstützungspaket nach Angaben des VBS auch einen Lastwagen mit Anhänger sowie ein Ersatzteilpaket für insgesamt drei Jahre. Zusätzlich werden die ukrainischen Behörden vor Ort durch Experten der Stiftung DIGGER geschult. Das Gesamtpaket koste rund 1,2 Millionen Franken und werde über den Kredit Ausrüstungs- und Erneuerungsbedarf der Armee (AEB) finanziert. Mit diesem Beitrag sollen Räumarbeiten in der humanitären Minenräumung in der Ukraine sicherer, effizienter und wirksamer durchgeführt werden können.
Die Überführung der Minenräummaschine sowie der Ersatzteile per Lastwagen in die Ukraine und die Ausbildung vor Ort durch die Stiftung DIGGER ist für September geplant.
Since last summer, the DDPS has also been supporting the training of civilian Ukrainian authorities in humanitarian demining with courses as part of the Partnership for Peace together with the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). The Swiss Army will cover the travel and accommodation costs of the participants. The DDPS is also involved in financing a GICHD training program in western Ukraine.
According to the DIGGER Foundation, the Digger E-250 is the latest model of demining machines that the foundation designs and builds in Switzerland. This 12-ton armored tracked vehicle is powered by a 180 kW diesel engine and has a mine cutter with which it plows the ground at high speed. It destroys the landmines by crushing them or causing them to explode. The DIGGER D-250 is controlled with a remote control from a safe distance - up to 500 m away. The machine can process between 300 and 1800 square meters per hour depending on the terrain. The device can be transported in a 20-foot container.
Editorial staff / gwh
