In 2026, Lithuania and Finland plan to launch their own production of anti-personnel mines to meet their needs and support Ukraine amid the military threat from Russia. This information was confirmed by officials from both NATO member countries.
Recently, Lithuania and Finland announced their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines. Authorities noted that production could begin after the six-month withdrawal process from this agreement is completed.
“We will spend hundreds of millions of euros on anti-tank mines as well as anti-personnel mines. This will be a significant amount.”
– Karolis Aleksa, Deputy Minister of Defense of Lithuania
According to Aleksa, the plan is to order tens of thousands of anti-personnel mines, possibly even more. The Lithuanian industry will become one of the main sources of supply. After establishing production, Lithuania will be able to supply these mines to other countries, including Ukraine, said Vincas Jurgutis, head of the Lithuanian Defense Industry Association.
“Finland must have its own production for supply security. They (anti-personnel mines) are a highly effective and very cost-efficient weapon system.”
– Heikki Autto, Chair of the Defense Committee of the Finnish Parliament
Finland is also considering supplying these mines to Ukraine, as Autto stated that supporting Ukraine is not only the right move but also an important component of Finland’s own security. Before joining the Ottawa Convention in 2011, Finland had over a million anti-personnel mines.
Currently, Finnish defense companies such as Nammo Lapua, Insta, and Raikka have already shown interest in mine production, and Forcit Explosives is ready to discuss the matter with the military.
It is worth noting that Poland, Latvia, and Estonia also plan to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, citing growing security concerns due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. On June 29, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Ukraine’s withdrawal from this convention, explaining it as an unequal situation since Russia did not sign the document.
What is the Ottawa Convention?
The Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines was adopted in Oslo on September 18, 1997, and came into force in 1999. More than 160 countries, including most Western states, have joined it. Among the countries that have not signed the convention are China, Russia, the United States, India, and Pakistan.
Ukraine signed the convention in February 1999 in New York, and the Verkhovna Rada ratified it in May 2005. At the time of signing, Ukraine had the fifth largest arsenal of anti-personnel mines in the world, behind only China, Russia, the United States, and Pakistan.
Participants in the convention commit never to use, develop, manufacture, purchase, store, or transfer anti-personnel mines, either directly or indirectly.