The has government prepared a draft proposal on raising the maximum age of reservists to 65 years, said the Ministry of Defence in a press release on Wednesday.
The ministry circulated the proposal for comments and comments on the proposal will be accepted until 26 June.
As per the proposal the new upper age limit would apply to all persons liable for military service born in 1966 or later: officers, non-commissioned officers and the rank and file.
It would not apply to senior officers who would, as before, remain in the reserve as long as they are fit for service.
There is a five-year transition period during which the number of reservists would grow by 125,000 as people who turn 60 would be liable for military service for additional five years.
The number of reservists is expected to reach one million in 2031.
"Finland's defence capability is based on general conscription, a trained reserve and a strong will to defend the country. By raising the maximum age of reservists we are giving more people the possibility to participate in national defence, " said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen in the press release.
The Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard have more and more tasks that require some special expertise. Reservists are needed for a variety of tasks, ranging from headquarters, support and training to command and control and healthcare and other tasks requiring special expertise.
After the reform, refresher training for 50–65 year-olds would be organised for those who have been assigned wartime tasks. In practice, this applies to a relatively small group of specialists and other experts in a variety of fields.
No upper age limit would be prescribed for participating in voluntary national defence. The Non-Military Service Act would be amended in the same way as the Conscription Act.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
