The Finnish government wants to raise the reservist age limit for the Defence Forces to 65.
This change would be particularly significant for the rank-and-file who remain in the reserves until they turn 50.
For non-commissioned officers as well as officers, the current age limit is 60.
The proposed age hike would not apply to those already in their sixties but only to conscripts born in 1966 or later.
The reform would expand the reserve by 125,000 individuals. Based on those projections, Finland's total reserve is expected to reach approximately one million people by 2031.
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) told Yle the move aimed to boost Finnish defence.
"It's not enough to invest in equipment — major fighter jet procurements and army reforms — we also need Finnish citizens to participate," Häkkänen explained.
With the reform, refresher training could be directed at conscripts aged 50 to 65 who have wartime assignments. In practice, however, the number of refresher exercises may not increase significantly.
The governement proposal will now move on to a consultation phase until June, with the administration aiming to submit the proposal before the legislature's summer recess.
The Defence Ministry said it does not anticipate that raising the age limit will result in resignations from the reserves.
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