OTTAWA — Travelling by plane, helicopter, frigate, small boat and submarine, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make a sweeping five-day trip to the Arctic next month.

The PM will visit all three northern territories and meet Canadian troops participating in a sovereignty exercise called Operation Nanook during his Northern voyage that begins Aug. 17. He will also hold a cabinet meeting in Nunavut’s capital, Iqaluit, and make a series of spending and policy announcements.

A spokesman said Arctic sovereignty and Northern development is central to the government’s agenda and of special personal interest to the PM.

“It’s an opportunity to highlight a large and important part of our country that often Canadians don’t get a chance to see a lot of,” said a senior Conservative.

The Tories recently released a northern strategy document that outlines initiatives designed to boost economic development and assert sovereignty in the resource-rich region.

Harper’s trip comes after Russia announced it will drop paratroopers at the North Pole next April. Defence Minister Peter MacKay said the government will be keeping a close watch on the exercise and is always prepared to protect Canada’s turf.

“We’re going to protect our sovereign territory and we’re always to meet any challenge to that territorial sovereignty,” he said.

kathleen.harris@sunmedia.ca