Poland has announced plans to restart domestic production of anti-personnel mines, targeting manufacturing up to one million units to strengthen its borders with Russia and Belarus as part of broader defense initiatives.
Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda revealed that Poland will withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines. This decision comes as Poland, along with the Baltic states, seeks to enhance border security against what Bejda described as a "very real and very serious threat."
The mine production initiative falls under Poland's 'Eastern Shield' project, which has recently gained recognition as a top European Union defense priority. The project received a boost when the European Investment Bank agreed to provide €1 billion in funding support.
According to Bejda, both state-owned and private defense contractors will participate in the manufacturing effort, with state arms producer PGZ playing a central role. The anticipated production timeline spans eight to nine months.
The withdrawal process from the Ottawa Convention requires multiple approvals, including from Poland's Cabinet, parliament, and president, followed by formal notification to the United Nations. The complete procedure is expected to take approximately six months.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that Poland's defense spending, projected at 4.7% of GDP this year, aligns with broader European security objectives. The EU has unveiled a €150 billion plan to reshape continental defense architecture, reflecting growing concerns about regional security.
The decision has sparked domestic debate, with opposition from right-wing parties, including the Law and Justice (PiS) party and Konfederacja, who have voiced concerns about ceding control over the project to European authorities.