Take your own gun and a drone if possible. New guidelines for Finnish reservists

The list of items required from called-up reservists has been expanded. Previously, it included, among other things, clothing, hygiene products, and a basic camping kit.

However, the decision is not related to any shortage of weapons in Finnish military stockpiles. Finland, with a population of 5.5 million, has one of the highest number of registered firearms per capita in the world. On average, every third citizen owns a private firearm, and individuals can apply for a gun license as early as age 15 with a guardian’s consent. Approximately 1.5 million registered firearms in Finland are hunting weapons.

The Finnish General Staff assures that “there are sufficient quantities of weapons and ammunition in military depots in the event of war, but if reservists also bring their own private firearms to their units, then all national armament resources will be available in case of a real threat.” The suitability of private weapons and other equipment for combat conditions will be assessed once the reservist reports to their unit.

Finland maintains a universal conscription system with mandatory service for men and voluntary service for women. It also has a large reserve force. The wartime strength of the Finnish Armed Forces is estimated at 280,000 soldiers, with a reserve of 870,000 personnel. At the beginning of 2026, the upper age limit for reservists was raised from 50 to 65 years. After 2030, the size of the reserve is expected to increase to around one million people.