On December 5, 2024, the Czech defense company STV Group signed a seven-year framework agreement with the Czech Ministry of Defence for the supply of the Sentry anti-tank mine system. The contract, valued at up to CZK 4.08 billion ($172 million), includes at least 10,000 mines along with training and associated tools. The Sentry anti-tank mine system incorporates encrypted mesh connectivity, remote control features, autonomous target recognition, and deactivation functionality for friendly forces. These features enable the establishment of anti-access and area denial zones.
The Sentry system, developed jointly by Finland’s Forcit Defence and STV Group, is categorized as a next-generation anti-tank mine system with integrated networking and remote-control capabilities. Forcit Defence has previously delivered 1,500 Hailstorm shrapnel charges to the Czech Ministry of Defence. This agreement extends the existing collaboration between the Czech and Finnish defense industries.
The Sentry system uses 10.5-kg multi-sensor anti-tank mines with insensitive explosives and electronic modules. The mines are equipped with seismic and magnetic sensors for detecting armored vehicles and can be programmed to target specific equipment or convoys. They can function autonomously under electronic warfare conditions and allow for the safe passage of friendly forces. The mines feature encrypted communication systems for secure operation and can be managed remotely at both individual and minefield levels.
Each mine includes GPS for precise geolocation and can alert operators to positional changes. The mines can be deployed on the surface or buried, with real-time adjustability. They use a directional warhead designed to penetrate up to 140 mm of rolled homogeneous armor. Anti-handling mechanisms prevent tampering, and unused mines can be retrieved and redeployed. Deployment requires intervals of 2.5 meters, and nine mines are sufficient to block a standard two-lane road. The system is designed to achieve similar effectiveness to conventional mines with fewer units.