Lithuania plans to spend EUR 500 million over the next decade on anti-tank mines, prioritising local manufacturers. However, domestic companies say the current technical specifications appear tailored to Poland-made mines, raising concerns about whether it’s viable to invest in domestic production.
Five Lithuanian firms are considering participation in a Defence Ministry tender to supply anti-tank mines.
“This would be the first time an A-category weapon is produced in Lithuania – either partially or entirely. It would mark a major breakthrough for our defence industry,” said Darius Antanaitis, co-founder of Ostaralab.
Still, companies remain cautious. Business representatives say the technical criteria favour existing Polish designs, potentially sidelining local innovation.
“The specifications are strict. To meet them, we would need to completely redesign a mine to match the Polish model,” said Vincas Jurgutis, a representative of the Lithuanian Defence and Security Industry Association.
Antanaitis disagrees with the notion that the tender favours foreign products.
“I don’t believe they were designed for another country. The priority remains to support Lithuania’s own defence manufacturing, including mine production,” he said.
The planned order involves tens of thousands of mines, which would translate into a multi-million-euro contract, says Loreta Maskalioviene, vice minister of defence.
Despite the potential, some companies are hesitant.
“After fulfilling the order, we would have to shut down production, because there would be no further buyers. That would mean closing the factory and laying off employees,” Maskalioviene noted.
The ministry says it is working to ease entry for local producers. Legal amendments to support the defence industry have been submitted to Parliament, though the industry says reforms are moving too slowly.
“In Estonia, conditions for manufacturing A-category weapons are already slightly better than what Lithuania is currently considering,” Antanaitis said.
According to Maskalioviene, orders for mine systems are expected to grow. In total, Lithuania plans to invest EUR 800 million over ten years in anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
A new procurement for anti-personnel mines is expected to launch in six months, once Lithuania officially withdraws from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use and production of such weapons.
“We will again give preference to Lithuanian producers. We are already doing the preparatory work,” Jurgutis said.
“I truly believe Lithuanian manufacturers will be ready to take part in this process,” added Maskalioviene.
Lithuania’s exit from the Ottawa Convention will be finalised at the end of this year. Until then, discussions about domestic anti-personnel mine production remain largely theoretical. Even so, manufacturers expect more challenges ahead.
“Countries that have signed the Ottawa Convention won’t supply any parts for anti-personnel mines,” Jurgutis said.
Lithuania is not alone. Other countries bordering Russia, including Finland, are also leaving the convention. Finland’s defence minister said the decision was driven by lessons from Russia’s tactics in Ukraine.
“The mass deployment of infantry is being countered with one key weapon – anti-personnel mines,” Antanaitis said.
Finland is considering launching domestic production. Poland, Latvia and Estonia have not announced similar plans but are reportedly assessing their defence needs. (LRT)