Canada boosting Arctic presence in face of Russian threats

New plans include more aircraft and drones to grow foothold as other powerful countries seek base in far north

Canada will boost its military and diplomatic presence in the Arctic to counter what it calls threats from Russia and others seeking a foothold in the far north, as part of a new doctrine unveiled on Friday.

The government envisions the deployment of new patrol ships and navy destroyers, ice breakers and submarines capable of operating beneath ice sheets, as well as more aircraft and drones.