London, Apr 19 (UNI) In a report, which is yet to be published, the British government will call for an expansion of the country's military activity in the Arctic, the Financial Times reported.

The expansion comes as the region becomes increasingly contested due to the opening up of access to it as a result of melting ice, the newspaper recalled.

The report is being prepared by a team of independent experts led by former NATO Secretary General George Robertson, who have been asked to study the threats the UK was facing and determine the capabilities needed to counter them, as well as assess the state of the country's army.

The British government is going to publish the report in the first half of the year, some want it to be done in May, others in June.

The report will also confirm UK investment in a sixth-generation stealth fighter initiative with Japan and Italy, the newspaper claims, and call for increased investment in drones and advanced technology.

UNI SPUTNIK ARN