Finland and Lithuania landmine production is officially in the works as both countries prepare to exit the Ottawa Convention and begin manufacturing anti-personnel mines by 2026. The announcement signals a major shift in military policy for the two NATO states, each of which shares a long border with Russia.
Officials from both countries confirmed that the decision follows similar moves from Poland, Latvia, and Estonia, who are also planning to leave the landmine ban treaty.
Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Karolis Aleksa told Reuters that Lithuania will commit hundreds of millions of euros to produce both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines domestically. He said the country expects to manufacture tens of thousands of mines not only for national defense but also potentially for export to Ukraine.
“Our national industry will be one of the sources. Our industry can make these,” said Aleksa.
Lithuania borders Russia and Belarus and has increased military spending sharply in the past two years. Once operational, its defense industry will be capable of supplying landmines to allies as well.
Finland, which shares a 1340-kilometer land border with Russia, is moving in the same direction. Heikki Autto, head of Finland’s parliamentary defense committee, said local production is critical for national security.
“They are a highly effective and very cost-efficient weapons system,” Autto told Reuters.
He also emphasized that Finland would consider supplying landmines to Ukraine. Before joining the Ottawa Convention in 2011, Finland had stockpiled more than one million anti-personnel mines.
Several Finnish defense companies have already expressed interest in producing the mines, including Nammo Lapua, Insta, and Raikka. Explosives manufacturer Forcit also confirmed its willingness to collaborate with the government.
Under the terms of the Ottawa Treaty, each country must complete a six-month formal withdrawal process before production can legally begin. The treaty, adopted in 1997, bans the use, stockpiling, manufacturing, and transfer of anti-personnel mines.
Neither Russia nor the United States signed the treaty. Ukraine has also begun the process of leaving, citing the ongoing war and the need for stronger defense tools. Both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of using landmines during the conflict.
Poland has already confirmed that its defense companies are preparing for large-scale mine production. State-owned PGZ S.A. and private contractor ZSP Niewiadów are building new facilities, with production expected to resume by 2027.
Latvia’s defense ministry has stated that its metalworking sector is capable of mine manufacturing if needed. Estonia’s defense leadership has described production as a “ready option” that could be activated if conditions change.
Despite heavy criticism from international campaigners, officials from the five countries involved have promised to store the mines in secured facilities and not deploy them during peacetime. They’ve also committed to marking any minefields to allow for post-conflict clearing.
Polish defense officials have already mapped out areas along the eastern border where mines could be quickly deployed as part of an expanding system of ground fortifications and reinforced barriers.
Moscow has not formally responded to the recent developments. However, earlier this year, Russia’s ambassador to Helsinki warned that Finland’s withdrawal from the treaty would mainly increase risks for Finnish residents, as the country could place landmines on its own soil.
Supporters argue that building up mine stockpiles will serve as a deterrent.
“When we have them in storage, that is the best guarantee that they will never have to be used,” said Autto.
