The Finnish Defence Forces want to acquire one million anti-personnel mines from manufacturers in Finland, with the aim of having domestic production running by 2028, Yle News reports. Around 100 million euros has been set aside for the purchase.
Colonel Riku Mikkonen of the Army Command told the news agency STT that planning started after Finland's exit from the Ottawa Convention, the treaty banning such mines, took effect in January. He said about six companies in the country are capable of producing them. Finland brought landmines back into its arsenal citing the worsening security situation, and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has described Russia as a long-term threat to Finland and Europe. The plan was first reported by the Defence Forces' own magazine.
Source: Yle News
