Witnessing the ongoing public debate about fighter jets and submarines this fall has felt a lot like watching people argue over baseball, hockey or some other team sport.

Naturally, it has been particularly uncompromising online where the characteristics and quirks of each aircraft and boat have been analyzed to the nth degree with the kind of fan worship usually reserved for pro franchises.

Those who love the F-35, love it a lot. The same can be said for the Gripen. The mania is dialled back somewhat in the debate over whether to choose the South Korean KS-III submarine or Germany’s Type 12CD, but it’s still present.

Lost in all of the noise surrounding the minutia — as well as the debate around jobs and economic benefits — have been some fundamental questions of national security and

See Full Page