US EditionFinland says to raise reservist age to 65
The reform will add 125,000 conscripts over five years, raising Finland's reservist pool to about one million by 2031 amid regional security concerns.
- On Dec 22, Finland announced it will raise the reservist age from 60 to 65 in 2026 to strengthen military preparedness against threats from neighbouring Russia.
- Defence policy changes follow Finland's post-2023 security realignment after joining NATO and closing its eastern border; military service is mandatory for all Finnish men at 18 in the Nordic country of 5.6 million.
- Extending service availability, the reform increases conscripts by 125,000 over five years and extends reservist terms by 15 years for enlisted personnel and five years for officers.
- The president's signature triggers the reform, which takes effect on Jan 1 and applies to those liable for military service; Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said the measures `signal that Finland ensures its security now and in the future`.
- Looking ahead, Finland projects its reservist pool will grow by 2031 to around one million, from around 900,000 citizens, Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Finland Hikes Military Reserve Age to 65 Amid Russia Fears
Finland just gave "citizen-soldier" a much longer shelf life. A new law signed on Monday keeps most military reservists on the books until age 65, a sharp jump from the current limits of 50 for enlisted men and 60 for officers and noncommissioned officers, per the Kyiv Post . The move,...
Now all Finnish conscripts will belong to the reserve up to the age of 65, the Ministry of Defense writes in a press release.
Finland’s Grandad’s Army: Helsinki Boosts Draft Age to 65 to Build a Million-Soldier Military
The need to increase the maximum age for reservists was first discussed in Finland following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led the country to join NATO the following year.
The President of Finland confirmed this afternoon that the maximum age for reservations will be increased from 60 to 65 years in 2026, in order to strengthen the military momentum against the threat posed by Russia's neighbor. Finnish Defence Minister Anti Häkkannen stated that the reform, which will enter into force on 1 January, will result in an increase of 125 000 recruits over a five-year period. Read more: Russia denies that it is preparin…
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