Finland plans to raise the age limit for reservists, to add 125,000 troops to its wartime army

The government of NATO member Finland wants to raise the age limit for its army reservists to 65, it said on Wednesday, which would add 125,000 troops to its wartime force and bring the number of reservists to one million by 2031.

Military service is mandatory for men in Finland, which joined the Western military alliance two years ago in response to neighboring Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Women can apply for military service on a voluntary basis. After military service, conscripts are called up to the reserve, reports the Telegraph.

Men are currently required to perform military service until the age of 60, but the government has sent out a draft proposal for raising the age limit for comments.

"Finland's defense capability is based on general recruitment, a trained reserve and a strong will to defend the country," Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said in a statement.

"By raising the maximum age of reservists, we are giving more people the opportunity to participate in national defense," he said.

Finland's military reserve currently stands at 870,000 troops, and the age change would bring the number to around one million by 2031.

Government proposals in Finland are sent for comments to interested parties, before being submitted to parliament for lawmakers to debate and ultimately vote on.

Compulsory military service in Finland lasts 165, 255 or 347 days, with the longest period applying to officers, non-commissioned officers and recruits who are trained for particularly difficult tasks. /Telegraph/