--- title: "Norway, Finland and Poland Massively Train Citizens for Warfare: What is Happening in Europe" description: "Norway, Finland, and Poland are expanding civilian military training: Oslo held exercises with 5,000 reservists, Poland saw 18,000 sign up for courses, and schools are introducing shooting training." date: 2026-11-04T13:25:04.714Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/norway-finland-poland-train-citizens-warfare tags: [norway, poland, finland, total-defence, home-guard, civilian-military-training, russia, europe, defence-policy] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Norway, Finland and Poland Massively Train Citizens for Warfare: What is Happening in Europe ![People in military and rescue gear talking at outdoor tables in Norway](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/04/norvegiya-finlyandiya-polscha-uchat-grazhdan-boyu/norvegiya-finlyandiya-polscha-uchat-grazhdan-boyu-1.webp) ## Key Points - Norway has declared 2026 the year of “total defense,” involving businesses and the general population in state protection. - The Norwegian Home Guard exceeds 40,000 personnel—nearly double the size of the regular army (23,000). - In September, Oslo hosted Home Guard exercises involving about 5,000 armed reservists. - In Poland, the “In Readiness” and “Train with the Army” programs train citizens in military skills, with around 18,000 people enrolled. - Polish schools have introduced shooting training and survival education for students aged 14 and older. Amid the growing threat from Russia, Norway, Finland, and Poland are expanding civilian military training programs. Citizens are being taught weapons handling, urban combat tactics, drone usage, and first aid for the wounded. According to RBC-Ukraine, this represents a systemic overhaul of defense doctrines in several Northern and Eastern European countries, where state defense is increasingly shifting away from relying solely on regular armed forces. ### Norway: 2026 Declared the Year of “Total Defense” In Norway, 2026 has been officially declared the year of “total defense.” Under this concept, not only the military, but also state institutions, businesses, and the entire population are expected to contribute to national security. The key instrument is the Home Guard (Heimevernet), which numbers over 40,000 personnel—nearly double the size of the regular army, which has 23,000 active-duty service members. Reservists include lawyers, electricians, bankers, insurance agents, and farmers; many of them leave their jobs once a year for military training exercises. In September, Oslo hosted the largest Home Guard exercises of the year, involving approximately 5,000 armed reservists. “We are standing in the way of the Russians,” former Prime Minister Erna Solberg said in an interview with SZ, emphasizing that Norway shares a nearly 200-kilometer border with Russia. ### Poland: From Weekend Courses to School Shooting Ranges Poland currently runs several military training programs for citizens. The “In Readiness” initiative offers weekend basic military training and evacuation classes for volunteers: in the first weeks after the program's launch in 2025, about 18,000 people signed up. The second initiative, “Train with the Army,” provides professional instruction led by military personnel, teaching volunteers weapon handling, grenade throwing, and other tactical skills. In several cities, demand was so high that waiting lists had to be created. Basics of military affairs are also taught in schools: teenagers learn first aid, survival in extreme conditions, and how to act during an armed conflict, with shooting training introduced for those aged 14 and older. ### Broader Context: Europe Prepares Society for Conflict The Norwegian and Polish cases fit into a broader European trend. As Russian and European media have previously noted, Europe openly acknowledges preparations for a potential armed conflict with Russia: specifically, the European Parliament stated the EU's readiness for such a scenario, while British authorities reportedly estimated the preparation window for war at just over 1,000 days. The Baltic states are also preparing for conflict, according to various reports, factoring in scenarios where U.S. support might be delayed. Against this backdrop, statements by the Russian leadership regarding readiness for war with Europe and claims that European voters allegedly oppose such a conflict only highlight the contradiction between Moscow's official rhetoric and its neighbors' actual policies. Thus, the expansion of civilian military programs in Norway, Finland, and Poland reflects a shift in Europe's defense strategy: moving from deterrence by regular armies to a “total defense” model where every citizen is seen as a potential link in the security chain. The scale of exercises, growing numbers of volunteers, and integration of military training into school education indicate that countries in the region are establishing long-term readiness mechanisms for potential conflict. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Готовятся к войне с Россией: в трех странах Европы массово учат гражданских](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/gotuyutsya-viyni-rosieyu-troh-krayinah-evropi-1793796588.html) - Primary source: Norway's “total defense” concept, Heimevernet size (40+k) and army size (23k), Oslo exercises (~5k reservists), E. Solberg quote, Polish “In Readiness” (18k enrolled) and “Train with the Army” programs, school shooting training from age 14. - [Путин отметил, что европейцы на выборах выступают против войны с Россией](https://www.rbc.ru/politics/18/09/2026/6aad854ecd28a2fc85cc5b54) - Context: Russian leadership statements regarding war with Europe. - [В Европарламенте признали, что готовятся к войне с Россией](https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2026/09/29/29413705.shtml) - Context: EU acknowledgment of preparations for a potential conflict with Russia. - [Страны Балтии начали готовиться к войне с Россией без расчета на помощь США](https://www.gazeta.ru/army/news/2026/10/02/29443735.shtml) - Context: Baltic states' readiness for conflict considering potential delays in U.S. support. ## FAQ ### What is “total defense” in Norway? It is a concept where not only the military, but also state institutions, businesses, and the population are mobilized to protect the country. Norway has declared 2026 the year of “total defense”. ### How many personnel are in the Norwegian Home Guard? Over 40,000 people, which is nearly twice the size of the regular army (23,000 active service members). ### What civilian military training programs exist in Poland? Initiatives include “In Readiness” (weekend basic military and evacuation classes) and “Train with the Army” (instruction led by military personnel). Military basics are also taught in schools. ### At what age is shooting training introduced in Polish schools? Shooting training, along with first aid and survival education, is provided for teenagers starting from the age of 14.