2026 is a break year for the Defense Forces. Usually, about 4000 people are conscripted. This year, only 1200 people were taken. These are mostly young people who want to work in the Defense Forces in the future.
The purpose of the break year is to give active-duty personnel the opportunity for additional training. However, this training has not yet begun. It is carried out by soldiers who have already completed their service.
The Defense Forces are modifying training courses. Instructors teach new methods. They focus on three things: basic soldier skills, countering drones, and marksmanship.
Basic skills mean that soldiers must maintain their weapons and equipment. Drone training and marksmanship are new skills being used in the war in Ukraine.
Although there are fewer conscripts, some units have the same number as before. Next year, they want to recruit more conscripts.
Every year, the Defense Resources Agency checks the health of about 10,000 young people. They want 4100 people to enter service by 2027. They talk to those who have not yet served.
This year, it is not yet known how many young people will receive a deferment from conscription. This will be determined after school admissions. Those who are not studying and have no other reason will enter service in 2027.
Currently, it is estimated that calling up 4000 conscripts remains realistic until 2040. After that, low birth rates will start to have an impact.
The break year has not affected the number of active-duty personnel.