Finland raises the age of reservists. Join the army even after the age of sixty

Every Finn subject to compulsory military service will remain in the reserve, regardless of military rank, until the end of the year in which he or she turns 65, according to the law signed by President Alexander Stubb.

“Thanks to this reform, the number of reservists will increase by 125,000 people over a five-year transition period, so that in 2031 the total size of the Finnish reserve will reach approximately 1 million people.” – said the head of the Ministry of Defense, Antti Hakkanen, recalling that an extensive reserve is the foundation of Finnish national defense.

– This is a signal that Finland cares about its security now and will care in the future – he added.

Currently, the upper age limit for reservists is 50 years, and for officers and non-commissioned officers it is 60 years. – A longer period of defense obligation gives the armed forces more opportunities to appoint qualified people to key positions in exceptional circumstances, regardless of military rank – emphasized the ministry's announcement.

Raising the age of reservists began to be discussed in Finland in connection with Russia's armed attack on Ukraine in early 2022 and with Finland's admission to NATO (accession in 2023).. Finland is one of the few European countries that, after the end of the Cold War, did not abandon the universal obligation of military service in the 1990s and in which – as the authorities declare – an army based on a large reserve will continue to be the basis of security.

Currently, in Finland, which has a population of 5.5 million, approximately 870,000 remain in reserve. citizens. During the war, the armed forces numbered 280,000. soldiers, their personnel are supplemented with reserve forces as necessary. (PAP)

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