Poland will resume production of controversial weapons this week. Some will be exported
Poland plans to resume the production of controversial landmines, reversing its previous commitment to not use or produce them due to new threats from the east.
Poland, which in 2013 declared that it would not use or produce landmines, is set to reverse this policy by restarting the production of these controversial weapons. This decision comes in light of emerging threats from eastern neighbors and reflects a broader reassessment of defense strategies in collaboration with Finland and Baltic States. The Ministry of National Defense has informally announced the plans to a local newspaper, indicating that preparations are underway to identify manufacturers and suppliers to fulfill these new production goals.
The Polish company Elektromechaniczne Zakłady Belma in Bydgoszcz, part of the Polish Armaments Group, has been identified as a key player in this initiative. Funding from the Capital Investment Fund, amounting to 311 million PLN, has been allocated to bolster Belma's production capabilities, particularly focused on landmines. Additionally, another supplier, the Radom-based company Pronit, has also been mentioned, suggesting a diversification of production resources as Poland embarks on this controversial path.
This resumption of landmine production raises significant implications for international relations and arms control, given Poland's prior commitments. The decision reflects heightened security concerns in the region and could affect Poland's interaction with NATO and European Union defense policies, as well as its global standing on arms treaties. As other countries in the region evaluate their military readiness, Poland's renewed stance on landmines might lead to a shift in regional defense dynamics, prompting further discussions on arms regulations and ethical implications of such weapons.