Copenhagen  - Denmark plans to boost its military capability in the Arctic region, as global warming brings new economic opportunities to the region, local media reported Wednesday.

All Danish parties bar the Unity List backed the proposal, which is to be included in the defence agreement for 2010-2014, the Berlingske Tidende newspaper reported.

The melting of the Arctic polar cap due to climate change is likely to result in new shipping routes and thus open up new areas for exploration for oil and gas. This could potentially also fuel conflicts and increase the need for capability to conduct search-and- rescue operations.

"Increased activities" will change the Arctic region's "strategic importance," the newspaper quoted the agreement text as saying.

The force was envisaged to be deployed in Greenland or for international missions in the Arctic region.

Both Canada and Russia have signalled similar moves.

Danish fighter jets could also be used to patrol the airspace near Greenland, which last month gained more autonomy within Denmark.

Greenland's new premier, Kuupik Kleist, who heads the self-rule government told a local radio station that while "no one wanted an arms race, it would make sense to have better maritime preparedness and ability to monitor increased shipping."

Defence affairs spokesman Karsten Nonbo of Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen's Liberal Party said the envisaged force would mainly consist of planes and vessels and not ground forces, the newspaper said. (dpa)