HELSINKI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Finland will convert its railway gauge to the European standard to boost military mobility, regional connectivity and security, Transport Minister Lulu Ranne announced on Tuesday.
The decision, unveiled at a Nordic transport ministers' meeting in Helsinki, signals a unified Nordic effort to enhance defense readiness and logistical coordination.
Finland currently uses the 1,524 mm "Russian gauge," wider than the 1,435 mm European standard, creating compatibility issues with neighboring Sweden and Norway - an increasing concern amid evolving defense needs.
The shift aligns with the European Union's (EU's) revised TEN-T Regulation, requiring non-standard member states to draft interoperability plans. Finland will finalize its national decision by July 2027, with construction expected to begin around 2032, starting in the north near Oulu.
Ranne said EU funding could cover up to 50 percent of planning and 30 percent of construction costs.
Interoperability upgrades are already underway. In early 2025, the cross-border rail link between Haparanda in Sweden and Tornio in Finland was fully electrified and equipped with a dual-gauge system for both countries' trains.
