More than 400 people have registered for a voluntary defence training course organised by the National Defence Training Association of Finland (MPK) in Häme in September, reflecting the growing interest in such training.
"The courses have filled up faster than in previous years," Häme Defence District Readiness Commander Sauli Mäentausta told Yle.
Most courses are already full, with only a few spots left. The majority of the courses do not require previous military service.
Several factors may be contributing to the surge in registrations, including the fact that the Covid pandemic has delayed the voluntary defence courses for two years, and Russia's attack on Ukraine has raised awareness about the importance of national defence.
Finns' views on national defence and military alliances have changed significantly since last year, according to a May survey by the National Defence Information Planning Board (MTS).
Finns' stated willingness to defend their country also reached the highest level in the survey's history since it was first conducted in 1976.
Furthermore, support for military non-alignment plummeted in Finland, with less than a fifth of respondents in favour of it, compared with about half of respondents in the autumn of 2021.
