The Swedish government has decided to reintroduce military conscription – a move backed by the country’s MPs.

The decision means that 4,000 men and women will be called up for service from 1 January, a defence ministry spokeswoman told the BBC.

They will be selected from about 13,000 young people born in 1999, who will be asked to take psychological and physical tests, Marinette Radebo said.

Sweden, a neutral country, is worried about Russia’s Baltic military drills.

Russian menace pushes Sweden towards Nato

In September, a Swedish garrison was restored to Gotland, a big island lying between the Swedish mainland and the three ex-Soviet Baltic states.

Ms Radebo said the return to conscription was prompted by “the change in our neighbourhood… Russian military activity is one of the reasons”.

The conscripts will serve for nine to 12 months. The aim is to encourage them to become military professionals or to join the reserves.

Sweden had military conscription until 2010, but previously only men were drafted.

Ms Radebo said that “70% of parliament is behind the decision to strengthen the military and co-operation with the countries around us”.

The closest co-operation is with Finland, she added.

Sweden and Finland are not in Nato, but co-operate closely with the alliance. Their Nordic neighbours Norway and Denmark are in Nato.

The Swedish recruitment system – a mixture of volunteers and conscripts – will be modelled on Norway’s, Ms Radebo said.