Finland seeks to raise reservist age to 65, pushing wartime pool to 1 million

Finland’s government has unveiled draft legislation to lift the upper age limit for military reservists from 60 to 65, a shift Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen said would boost the country’s trained reserve to roughly one million by 2031.

Finnish hunter soldiers during training together with Swedish units in Hetta, northern Finland.

EPA/Anders Wiklund

Häkkänen said the proposal emerged after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Finland’s subsequent NATO entry.

“By expanding participation, we reinforce deterrence,” he told reporters.

The Ministry of Defence proposes raising the upper age limit for the reserve to 65 years.The cornerstone of our national defence is universal conscription and a strong will to defend the country. By 2031,the size of 🇫🇮 reserve will increase to one million. https://t.co/cc985td4ha

— Antti Häkkänen (@anttihakkanen) May 14, 2025

Key points

• Numbers: Finland now has about 870,000 reservists; the change would add some 125,000.
• Timeline: After public consultation, the bill will go to parliament; the new cap would take effect in 2026.
• Scope: The higher age ceiling would apply to enlisted ranks, NCOs and officers.

Military service remains compulsory for Finnish men (165–347 days depending on role) and voluntary for women. In wartime, the Finnish Defense Forces can mobilize about 280,000 soldiers, drawing on the reserve.

The plan is part of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s center-right coalition agenda; analysts expect broad cross-party backing.

(jh)

Source: PAP