By Riffat Kausar
International News Correspondent
Snn News Finland
Helsinki Finland is planning a major expansion of its military reserve force. The government aims to increase the total number of reservists to one million.
Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen announced that the upper age limit for reservists will be raised from 60 to 65 years. The new rule will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
According to the minister, this change will add around 125,000 reservists over the next five years. The goal is to strengthen Finland’s national defence and long-term security planning.
Finland relies heavily on its reserve system, where citizens complete military training and can be called upon in times of need. The country shares a long border with Russia and has recently increased its focus on defence readiness.
Officials say the reform will improve preparedness without introducing compulsory service changes, as it mainly extends the service age of trained reservists.
The move signals a major shift in Finland’s long-term defence strategy.
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