Swiss government is stepping up its humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine by sending, a remote-controlled demining machine. On August 29, 2023, the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) announced that it would be supplying the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) with this specialized equipment.
The move aims to facilitate the safe and efficient clearance of areas contaminated with mines, cluster munitions, and other explosive remnants of war.
The demining machine was handed over to the DDPS by the Swiss DIGGER Foundation on August 29 and is prepared for immediate shipment to Ukraine through the Van for Life Foundation. The DIGGER Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organization dedicated to developing technologies and methods for humanitarian demining.
The total aid package, valued at CHF 1.2 million (approximately $1.3 million USD), encompasses not just the demining machine but also a caterpillar vehicle capable of destroying or detonating anti-personnel mines. Additionally, the package includes a truck trailer and a three-year supply of spare parts.
To ensure the effective use of the equipment, Ukrainian authorities will receive on-site training from experts affiliated with the DIGGER Foundation. This comes as Swiss company Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) also announced plans to deliver around 20 demining machines to Ukraine within the year.
The DIGGER D-250 is the fourth generation of remote-controlled humanitarian demining machines developed by the Swiss DIGGER Foundation. Built on over two decades of experience across 16 countries and four continents, this Swiss-made machine is designed for extreme versatility and reliability. It can be operated remotely from a distance of up to 500 meters, ensuring the safety of the operator. Tested successfully against anti-tank mines containing up to 8 kg of TNT equivalent by the Swedish Army, the D-250 is equipped with a unique oscillating track system that provides better weight distribution, enhancing its all-terrain capabilities.