Poland has announced plans to resume the production of anti-personnel mines, aiming to produce up to one million units to strengthen its borders with Russia and Belarus.
This move comes after Poland and the Baltic states announced they are preparing to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel mines.
Pawel Bejda, the Deputy Minister of Defense, stated that this action is in response to the “real and direct threat” Poland faces on its eastern borders. He added that the production of mines will be carried out by private contractors and state-owned companies.
The state-owned arms manufacturer, PGZ, will be involved in implementing this project, which is expected to be completed within 8-9 months.
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the withdrawal from the Convention will require approval from the Cabinet, Parliament, and the President of Poland, and the process could take up to six months.
