A neighboring state of Russia raises the age of reservists up to 65. “A strong will to defend the country”
Finnish military during some war exercises, photo: Joi Porsanger / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
The Finnish government intends to raise the age of reservists to 65, which would increase the number of reservists by 125,000 by 2031, informs AFP, taken by Agerpres.
The announcement comes against the background of tensions with its great Russian neighbor and two years after Finland's accession to NATO. Currently, the Finns forced to perform military service are part of the reserve up to the age of 50 for the graduated military or 60 years for non -commissioned officers and reserve officers.
“Finland's defense capacity is based on general recruitment, trained reserve and a strong will to defend the country,” said Defense Minister, Antti Hakkanen, in a statement.
In Finland, all men are obliged to perform the military service from the age of 18; Currently there are about 900,000 reservists in the country.
“By increasing the maximum age of reservists, we offer several people the opportunity to participate in the national defense (…) A stronger reserve will strengthen the security of Finland,” the minister added.
The size of the reserve will increase by about 125,000 recruits during the transition period of five years, to reach one million people by 2031, the statement said.
The project will first go through a consultation stage, before being presented to the Parliament.
Finland, which divides a border of 1,340 kilometers with Russia, put an end to the decades of military non-alignment and joined the Atlantic Alliance in April 2023. In December 2023, it closed its border with Russia, under suspicions that Moscow orchestrates the arrival of immigrants to destabilize it.
