Camilla Jessen
Poland is preparing a major shift in its defense posture.
Poland plans to restart large-scale anti-personnel mine manufacturing for the first time since the Cold War, citing heightened security risks along its borders with Russia and Belarus.
The move was confirmed by Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Zalevski in an interview with Reuters.
Officials say the mines could later be exported to Ukraine, depending on production capacity.
Mine program revived
Zalevski said the munitions will support the Eastern Shield program, aimed at reinforcing Poland’s 800-kilometer frontier. Production could begin next year once Poland completes its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines.
“We have such needs,” he told Reuters.
While Poland’s defense remains the priority, he called Ukraine “a key objective,” arguing its front line shapes “European and Polish security.”
Reuters reported Poland began the treaty-withdrawal process in August; Zalevski’s remarks are the first official confirmation that production will resume.
Expanding industry output
State-owned defense firm Belma, already a supplier of several mine types, expects demand to reach 5–6 million units.
CEO Jaroslaw Zakrzewski told Reuters the company could scale to 1.2 million mines annually by 2026, up from roughly 100,000 today.
He said exports to Ukraine are possible and that NATO states bordering Russia have shown interest. Poland’s own stockpiles, he stressed, will be filled first.
Regional shift grows
Lithuania and Finland plan to begin mine production next year, responding to concerns sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Latvia and Estonia are leaving the Ottawa Convention and may follow with production plans.
Ukraine has also withdrawn from the treaty, citing the need to strengthen defenses. Reuters notes that major powers outside the convention include the United States and China.
Sources: Reuters; Digi24
