Activist groups argue that antipersonnel landmines hold no militaristic value, despite having very little supporting evidence. They argue that landmines have no effect in battle, and only cause civilian casualties after a conflict has ended. In reality however, antipersonnel landmines hold a tremendous militaristic value. The United States Department of State expressed that:
Landmines still have a valid and essential role protecting United States forces in military operations. Landmines enable a commander to shape the battlefield to his advantage. They deny the enemy freedom to maneuver; enhance effectiveness of other weapons (such as small arms, artillery or combat aircraft); allow us to fight with fewer forces against a larger enemy force; …show more content…
The NRC or National Research Council conducted a massive study, commissioned by the Department of Defense for Congress, to find an alternative to the use of smart antipersonnel landmines in the year 2002. The study concluded landmines were extremely vital to the United States military because the tactical advantage are simply irreplaceable (heritage.org). There was also a landmark NATO, also known as North Atlantic Treaty Organization, investigation into the cost of banning both smart and traditional antipersonnel landmines. NATO is comprised 28 nations, including nearly every European nation as well as the United States and Canada (Member Countries). The investigation concluded that the use of smart antipersonnel landmines does not create a significant humanitarian hazard and that the banning of smart antipersonnel landmines would severely weaken the military strength of NATO (Groves and Bromund). The investigation estimated the military of NATO can be up to 35 percent less efficient and suffer up to 65 percent more casualties in conflicts, depending on the circumstances, when smart antipersonnel landmine were not deployed (Groves and Bromund). Every single large scale study and investigation about the use of smart antipersonnel landmines concluded with consensus that they are vital and irreplaceable. This is why the the two other leading military