Canada's Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper vowed Thursday to defend the country's sovereignty in Arctic with a beefed up military presence if he wins in the Jan. 23 election.

Campaigning in Winnipeg, Harper said a Conservative government would increase underwater and aerial surveillance and enlarge the navy, army, and air force presence.

"The single most important duty of the federal government is to protect and defend our national sovereignty " said Harper.

Harper's announcement came just days after reports that at least one US military submarine had recently patrolled the Arctic and likely passed through Canadian waters.

"There are new and disturbing reports of American nuclear submarines passing through Canadian waters without obtaining the permission of - or even notifying - the Canadian government," Harper said, adding that if he was elected Prime Minister he would make it clear to foreign governments that travelling in Canadian territory requires government consent.

Harper said a Conservative government would commit 5.3 billion Canadian dollars (4.5 billion US dollars) over five years to his plan for defending Arctic sovereignty.

The plan would include establishing underwater listening posts to monitor northern waters for foreign submarines and ships, and building a new Arctic army training centre, among other things.

Source: Xinhua