[ChrisMAg2]

Ed,
I think, there is a misunderstanding here. This is not a (remote) firing device. It is itself an electric safety switch and seems to be attached to the cocking lever. If power is provided, "safety" is on and the cocking lever cannot be pulled. If no power is provided, "safety" is off and the cocking lever can be pulled. Or vice versa, as described in the data sheet for the ESi17.
Now, why there is such a device on or for a machine gun at all, that is a totaly different question. Maybe indeed -as Snautzer suggested- as a device to prevent accidental/ unintentional or uncontrolled fireing.