Poland is gearing up to plant up to a million anti-personnel mines along its eastern border as part of its East Shield defense strategy. This move follows the country’s decision—alongside Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a treaty banning landmines.
Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda defended the plan, citing escalating threats from Russia and Belarus. “We have no choice. The border situation is serious,” he told RMF FM. The mines, to be produced domestically by the state-owned PGZ Group, will take months to manufacture, with full deployment expected after Poland formally exits the treaty.
The four NATO allies justified their withdrawal, arguing that current security threats demand more defensive flexibility. “The Eastern Flank needs to be reinforced,” their joint statement read.
Beyond fortifying its borders, Poland is ramping up military investments, including acquiring more K2 tanks and modernizing its defense industry. Bejda also highlighted plans to integrate drones across all military branches, with production accelerated by 3D printing and specialized training programs for operators. A dedicated unit focused on “dronizing” the Polish Army began operations on March 18.
On the geopolitical front, Bejda criticized diplomatic efforts that exclude European voices, referencing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s talks with Vladimir Putin. “Europe can’t be sidelined—we must be at the table,” he insisted.
Poland’s latest defense initiatives underscore its urgency in bolstering national security as regional tensions remain high.
