Al Jazeera reported Finland is weighing a €100 million effort, about $112 million, to acquire one million anti-personnel mines after leaving an international treaty, as Helsinki considers a role for domestic manufacturers.
Officials are reviewing potential mine suppliers, Army Command Col. Riku Mikkonen told Finland’s national news agency STT. He said roughly six Finnish firms qualify and that local production would have several advantages. Overseas suppliers remain an option, Mikkonen told STT.
Finland aims to have supply contracts in place by the end of 2027 and production underway in 2028, Al Jazeera reported. If local manufacturing is selected, Finnish firms could gain a role in the program; the sourcing decision remains open.
Finland joined the Ottawa Convention in 2012 and announced its withdrawal in April 2025, citing a worsening security environment. It ceased to be bound by the agreement in January. The humanitarian treaty aims to eliminate anti-personnel mines and destroy stockpiles.
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have also withdrawn, citing concerns about a potential threat from Moscow. Al Jazeera linked the departures to regional concern over Russia and its war against Ukraine.
Finland shares about 1,340 kilometers of border with Russia. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has called Russia a long-term threat, and Finland has strengthened its defenses since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Finnish officials have also reported migrants being pushed across from the east, Al Jazeera reported.
