The European country wants to raise the age of reservists to 65 years of age. “Foundation of defense”
– The upper age limit of reserve soldiers constituting the strength of the Finnish army will be raised to the age of 65. Higher degrees officers could be called to the army as long as they were able to serve – according to a government project addressed to parliament.
The Finnish government raises the age of reservists. “Reserve with the foundation of defense”
– This is another step to strengthen Finland's safety. The foundation of Finnish national defense is a extensive reserve, and our will to defend the country is the highest in Europe – said the head of the Ministry of Defense Antti Hakkanen.
Currently, the upper age limit for reservists is 50 years, and for officers and non -commissioned officers is 60 years.
About 870 thousand remain in the 5.5 million Finland citizens in the reserve. people. During the war, armed forces have 280,000 soldiers, which are supplemented as needed by reserve forces. Due to the raising of the upper age limit, the number of reserve will increase by approx. 125 thousand. people, to a million trained soldiers, which would be achieved in 2031.
Finland is still with the widespread duty of military service
The raising of the upper age limit of reservists began to be discussed in Finland in connection with the armed assault of Russia to Ukraine in February 2022 and the process of accepting Finland to NATO (accession in 2023).
Finland is one of the few European countries, which after the end of the Cold War did not give up in the 1990s from the widespread duty of military service – as the highest authorities declare, the army based on numerous reserve will continue to be the basis of the country's security.
The government wants the act raising the reservists' age to come into force at the beginning of 2026.
