Finland says to raise reservist age to 65

Summary

• Finland will raise the reservist age from 60 to 65 in 2026 to boost military preparedness against potential Russian threats.
• The reform, effective January 1, aims to increase the number of reservists by 125,000 over five years, reaching one million by 2031.
• This measure, along with others, signals Finland's commitment to ensuring its long-term security, following its NATO membership in April 2023.

HELSINKI - Finland said on Dec 22 it will raise the reservist age from 60 to 65 in 2026 to strengthen the country’s military preparedness towards any threat posed by neighbouring Russia.

Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the reform, which enters into force on Jan 1 after being signed into law by the president, will result in an increase of 125,000 conscripts over five years.

“The number of Finnish reservists will be around one million in 2031,” Mr Hakkanen said, in a statement.

Finland’s reserve currently comprises around 900,000 citizens, and the eastern NATO country has a wartime strength of 280,000 soldiers.

“This and our other measures to bolster our defence signal that Finland ensures its security now and in the future,” Mr Hakkanen said.

Military service is mandatory for all Finnish men when they turn 18 and voluntary for women in the Nordic country of 5.6 million.

Conscripts may serve between six, nine or 12 months depending on their training.

The new age limit will apply to those liable for military service when the law comes into force.

Under the new rules, the availability of conscripts will be extended by 15 years for enlisted personnel and by five years for non-commissioned officers and officers.

Finland shares a 1,340km border with Russia and ended decades of military non-alignment by joining NATO
in April 2023, just over a year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Helsinki closed its eastern border with Russia
in December 2023, suspecting Moscow of orchestrating the arrival of migrants to destabilise the country. AFP