Norway, Finland and Poland are expanding military training for reservists and civilians amid the threat posed by Russia.
Bild reported this news.
The publication reviewed defense programs in the three countries, which include reservist exercises, civilian training, and preparations for emergencies.
Norway
Norway has declared 2026 the year of “total defense,” an approach that involves the military, government institutions, businesses, and citizens in the country’s defense. Meanwhile, 85% of the population support retaining compulsory military service.
Norway’s Home Guard, Heimevernet, has more than 40,000 reservists, while the regular armed forces have around 23,000 service members. The Home Guard includes people from civilian professions who undergo annual military training.
In September, Oslo hosted Heimevernet’s largest exercise of the year, involving 5,000 personnel. Norway also has 19,000 shelters capable of accommodating more than half of its population of 5.5 million.
Finland
Around 45,000 reservists undergo training in Finland each year. They practice urban combat, drone operations and providing medical aid to the wounded.
The country also organizes voluntary defense courses for civilians. During one recent exercise, more than 2,000 participants practiced responding to cyberattacks, power outages, and the threat of missile strikes.
Finland also has around 50,500 shelters with a combined capacity of 4.8 million people. Many are used in peacetime as sports halls, parking facilities, and other premises. In an emergency, they are to be made ready for use within 72 hours.
Poland
Poland has launched the wGotowości (“Ready”) program, which offers voluntary weekend training sessions. Participants learn basic military skills and evacuation procedures. In the first weeks after the initiative was launched, 18,000 people registered.
Meanwhile, Polish service members run the Trenuj z wojskiem (“Train With the Military”) courses. Civilians receive instruction in weapons handling, including the use of training grenades. In some cities, organizers have introduced waiting lists because of the high number of applications.
Military training is also being introduced in Polish schools. Students learn first aid and survival skills and begin firearms training at age 14. In the town of Iłża, for example, ninth-grade students practice with firearms.
Source: Militaryni
