Finland Expands Defense Training as Concerns Over Russia Grow

The country plans to open over 300 new shooting ranges and bolster civil defense efforts following its accession to NATO and rising regional tensions.

• Finland has announced plans to add more than 300 shooting ranges, increasing the current number of 670, to support growing interest in weapons training and self-defense.
• The surge in defense preparedness follows Finland's 2023 NATO membership and concerns over Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• Membership in Finland's national reservists' association has grown by over two-thirds since 2022, with many citing fears of potential threats from Russia.
• The National Defense Training Association has doubled its training days to 120,000 in 2024, reflecting heightened public interest in national defense.
• Finland is maintaining and modernizing its 50,000 Cold War-era civil defense shelters, which can accommodate 85% of the population, as part of its broader readiness strategy.

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