OTTAWA — Multiple defence experts warn that splitting Canada’s lucrative submarine contract between two suppliers would create risks for the navy — and likely would weaken Ottawa’s negotiating position.

Paul Mitchell, a professor of defence studies at Canadian Forces College, said modern submarines are as complex as spacecraft or F1 racers — and that’s a good reason to avoid complicating the purchase by setting up two separate supply lines and parts inventories.

“You’re subject to butterfly effects … You have a small input create very, very large impacts, and you would be encouraging that kind of behaviour within the system that you’re designing,” Mitchell told The Canadian Press.

“This is a country that historically has not funded the sustainment and logistics side of military procurem

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