Finland Raises Reservist Age to 65... "1 Million Reservists by 2031"

Preparing for Threats from Neighboring Russia

Finland, a Nordic country, will raise the reservist call-up age from the current 60 to 65 in preparation for potential threats from neighboring Russia.

Government building in Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to AFP, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen announced on December 22 (local time) that a bill to this effect will take effect on January 1 next year after being signed by the president. As a result, the number of conscripts is expected to increase by 120,000 over the next five years.

Minister Hakkanen emphasized, "The number of Finnish reservists will be around 1 million by 2031," and added, "This measure, along with other defense strengthening initiatives, demonstrates that Finland is ensuring its security both now and in the future."

Currently, Finland has about 900,000 reservists and a wartime force of 280,000 troops.

Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, has a history of fighting two wars against Russia and losing 10% of its territory in the 1940s.

Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in April 2023, a little over a year after Russia invaded Ukraine.