Warsaw has announced its intention to resume the production of anti-personnel mines, a move that underscores Poland’s determination to fortify its eastern frontier and respond to an increasingly fraught regional security landscape.

The decision, announced by Deputy Defence Minister Paweł Zalewski, marks the country’s first return to manufacturing such weapons since the Cold War and has already prompted debate in capitals across NATO.

This development, part of what Warsaw has termed the East Shield programme, reflects a broader reappraisal of defence posture among nations bordering Russia and Belarus. For Warsaw, the decision is not taken lightly; it comes against the backdrop of lingering anxieties over Russia’s war in Ukraine and a palpable sense that Europe’s eastern flank must be prepared for a range of eventualities.

Poland’s choice to abandon its long-standing adherence to the Ottawa Convention — the international treaty that bans the use and production of anti-personnel mines — signifies a profound strategic recalibration. The withdrawal process, initiated in August, is due to be completed in February 2026, at which point domestic production can begin in earnest.

For decades, anti-personnel mines were widely viewed as relics of 20th-century warfare. Their humanitarian impact, particularly the toll on civilians long after conflicts have ended, led to widespread international condemnation and the near-universal adoption of treaty obligations banning them. Yet the evolving security environment across Europe’s eastern border has caused leaders in Warsaw to rethink elements of their defence doctrine.

Mr. Zalewski was clear in his statements that the primary purpose of reintroducing mine production is to secure Poland’s 800-kilometre border with Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. “We are interested in large quantities as soon as possible,” he told reporters, emphasising that the move is driven by national security imperatives, not ideological shift.

East Shield and the New Defensive Architecture

East Shield is not merely about mines. It represents a wider investment in border infrastructure and military readiness. Roads, observation posts, surveillance technology and physical barriers have already been rolled out across sensitive stretches of frontier in recent years. The planned production of mines — potentially in the millions — will integrate into this network as a layered deterrent against any incursion.

Belma, a state-owned defence manufacturer, is primed to scale up production dramatically. Currently producing about 100,000 mines a year, the company anticipates output of up to 1.2 million units across all mine types in 2026, once the treaty withdrawal takes effect. Leadership at Belma and within the ministry insist that these capabilities are essential if Poland is to deter aggression and manage an unpredictable geopolitical terrain.

Yet Warsaw maintains that these measures are defensive, not offensive. All mines are to be deployed strictly within Poland’s territory as part of border fortifications. The Polish government emphasises that strict safeguards and deployment protocols will be in place to mitigate risk to civilians and allied forces.

Poland’s decision has not occurred in isolation. Across the Baltic Sea, Lithuania and Finland have already signalled their intention to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention and pursue similar production, citing comparable security concerns. Latvia and Estonia have also embarked on treaty withdrawal and may resume mine manufacturing if needed.

This regional trend underscores a shared perception among eastern NATO members that the alliance’s collective defence posture must adapt to shifting threats. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has been a central catalyst for this reassessment, revealing vulnerabilities along NATO’s eastern flank and prompting a series of defence enhancements.

Crucially, Warsaw has also indicated that if domestic production exceeds national requirements, there may be scope for supporting allied nations — including Ukraine — with surplus supply. While Poland has stressed that its own needs take priority, the suggestion of coordinated regional defence support illustrates Warsaw’s commitment to collective security within NATO.

Balancing Defence and Responsibility

Despite its strategic logic, the reintroduction of anti-personnel mines poses profound moral and political questions. Mines have long been criticised for their indiscriminate nature and enduring danger to civilians. Advocates of the Ottawa Convention argue that modern militaries have other means of border protection and that the humanitarian consequences of mines can be devastating.

However, proponents within Poland counter that technological advances — including smarter deployment mechanisms and precise delineation of minefields — allow for a responsible use that minimises unintended harm. In dialogue with local communities near border regions, Warsaw has sought to allay fears and emphasise safety protocols, training and clear demarcation of defensive zones.

A New Epoch in European Defence

Poland’s announcement marks a significant inflection point in European defence strategy. It encapsulates the tension between longstanding humanitarian norms and the pressing realities of contemporary geopolitics. As Eastern Europe grapples with the reverberations of a protracted conflict on its doorstep, Warsaw’s initiative may come to be seen as emblematic of a broader shift: one in which deterrence and readiness are balanced with caution and international cooperation.

In the coming months, as mine production begins and allied discussions intensify, Europe will watch closely. For Poland, the move is rooted in a simple yet powerful calculus: to protect its people and secure its borders in an unpredictable era.

Main Image: By Gov.pl, CC BY 3.0 pl, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116851767

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