In a move that could significantly reshape the global landscape of mine production and international treaties, Finnish technology conglomerate Insta has expressed interest in producing anti-personnel land mines. This development comes hot on the heels of Finland’s announcement that it plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty, the international agreement that bans the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. The Nordic country, a NATO member, cited long-term security threats from neighbouring Russia as the primary reason for its potential exit from the treaty.
Insta’s CEO, Tapio Kolunsarka, told Reuters that the company is considering extending its strategic partnership with the Finnish Defence Forces to include land mine production. “If the decision is taken that we as a nation permit land mines again, of course we want to look from that point forward how we can be involved in the context of our strategic partnership,” Kolunsarka stated. However, he was quick to add that no final decisions have been made regarding the production or potential export of these weapons.
The Finnish government’s potential withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty is part of a broader shift in European security policy. Poland and the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have also indicated their intention to leave the 1997 convention, citing similar security concerns related to Russia. This collective move could signal a significant realignment in European defence strategies, with a renewed focus on traditional deterrence methods.
Insta’s involvement in land mine production is not entirely new. The company has been developing alternative technologies, such as the remotely-detonated “bounding mine,” which was intended to replace Finland’s stockpile of over 1 million land mines destroyed after joining the Ottawa Treaty in 2012. More recently, Insta adapted this technology into the “Steel Eagle,” a drone-based weapon that releases thousands of steel balls over a wide area. This development, done in partnership with Ukrainian firms, underscores the company’s capability in advanced defence technologies.
The potential return of land mine production in Finland and other European countries has drawn criticism from the United Nations. The UN has condemned the plans to exit the treaty, stating that doing so would “weaken the established norm against the use of anti-personnel landmines and reverse critical humanitarian advancements.” This criticism highlights the tension between immediate security concerns and long-term humanitarian goals.
The implications of these developments are far-reaching. If Finland and other countries proceed with their plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty, it could lead to a resurgence in land mine production and use, reversing decades of progress in humanitarian disarmament. Moreover, it could set a precedent for other nations facing similar security threats, potentially leading to a broader erosion of the treaty’s effectiveness.
For the mining industry, this shift could open new avenues for defence-related production and innovation. Companies like Insta, with their expertise in automation and defence technologies, could find themselves at the forefront of this change. However, they will also face significant ethical and political scrutiny, as the production and use of land mines remain highly controversial.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of the Ottawa Treaty and the role of land mines in global security. As Finland and other countries navigate their security needs and international obligations, the mining industry will be watching closely, ready to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. The debate sparked by these developments is likely to be intense and multifaceted, touching on issues of national security, humanitarian law, and the future of defence technologies.
