In the face of the increasing geopolitical situation in Europe, Finland has taken 1 of the most controversial decisions of fresh years — it has decided to reintroduce anti-personnel mines into its defence strategy.
This decision marks the formal withdrawal of a country from the Ottawa Convention which prohibits the usage of specified weapons. Although Finland, like most Western countries, has followed this global treaty for many years, the changing situation at the east borders has forced Helsinki to rethink its defence decisions to date.
Finland has more than 1,3,000 kilometres of border with Russia, which makes the war threat peculiarly real. Following Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the increase in tensions in the region, the Finnish authorities considered that anti-personnel mines could be an effective defence tool that would enable more effective border protection. According to the Finnish Ministry of Defence, mines are a tool that can slow down a possible enemy attack, especially in a hard forest area that dominates the border with Russia.
Finland's decision to retreat from the Ottawa Convention met mixed reactions on the global stage. Humanitarian organisations, specified as the global Committee of the Red Cross (MKCK), powerfully condemned the usage of anti-personnel mines, pointing to their long-term consequences for civilians, especially children. Despite these objections, the Finnish authorities keep that their precedence is national defence and to guarantee the safety of the people of the country.
In addition, experts stress that anti-personnel mines, though effective in defence, can besides be the origin of serious controversy in an global context. An increase in the usage of specified weapons may constitute a precedent that will inspire another states to reconsider their function in modern armed conflicts, completely changing the rules of war.
Sweden: Reinforcements to Power
At the same time, Sweden, which has so far been known for its neutrality policy, has made an equally decisive decision on its defence. This country, despite its approach to date, which envisaged maintaining limited military capacity, announced plans to increase its military spending to the historical level. After joining NATO, Sweden began to treat defence issues as a key component of its safety policy.
In March, the Swedish Parliament approved a plan to increase military spending by 300 billion kronor, which represents about EUR 27 billion. This means an increase in military spending by 3.5% of GDP, as well as investing 1.5% of GDP in another national safety areas, specified as intelligence services, cybersecurity or airspace defence. Sweden is committed to developing modern defence technologies, including advanced rocket systems, as well as expanding the number of soldiers and improving military readiness.
The defence minister, Pal Jonson, stressed in his speech that the decision to increase military spending was taken in consequence to threats from Russia and another destabilising forces in the region.
"Sweden cannot afford to lag behind, we must strengthen our defence to guarantee the safety of our people and our sovereignty," Jonson said.
Sweden, being a associate of NATO, is inactive committed to working with allies, but the steps taken are besides aimed at creating a stronger, independent defence possible that can be full controlled.
The reinforcement plan besides includes the modernisation of military infrastructure, including the expansion of fresh military bases and the acquisition of modern helicopters, drones and rocket defence systems. peculiar emphasis will be placed on the defence of airspace, the importance of which is invaluable in the face of modern threats. Sweden besides intends to increase its capacity to defend against cyber attacks and to invest in the improvement of defence technologies that will let faster consequence to air threats.
In parallel to these changes, Sweden will invest in the improvement of the reserve army and fresh forms of military training. There is besides a 25% increase in the number of soldiers in the plans to guarantee better readiness to defend the country.
Common challenges and cooperation
The decisions of Finland and Sweden are a clear signal that both countries realize the changing geopolitical order and adapt their defence strategies to the increasing threat from Russia. Although Finland and Sweden have different approaches to defence, both countries are committed to strengthening their military independency while working together within NATO and another global defence structures.
Although Finland has set anti-personnel mines and Sweden to make modern weapons, both decisions stem from akin concerns about national safety and the request to guarantee effective defence against possible attacks. There is besides a clear request to increase cooperation in the Nordic region, peculiarly in the field of joint military exercises, technology exchange and intelligence cooperation. These actions aim to make a strong integrated regional defence which, in the face of the increasing threat of Russia, will become the foundation of stableness in the Baltic region.
Finland, without giving up its defence independence, decided to strengthen conventional defence methods. Sweden, in turn, focuses on modern technologies and advanced military readiness. Although both countries disagree in their approach to defence, their long-term actions can benefit both themselves and the full Nordic region.
