← Back to the feed

Defense Manufacturing·None

US Faces Pressure to Build Weapons Without China's Rare Earth Magnets

7 sources · first reported Yesterday

via RealClearDefense

The US is under new pressure to develop weapons systems that do not rely on rare earth magnets from China, due to concerns over supply chain security and dependence on a potentially adversarial nation. US companies are stepping up efforts to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals used in key weapons. This includes developing new refining capabilities to extract rare earth elements from mining waste.

Why it matters

Reducing dependence on China for rare earth magnets is crucial for US national security, as it would mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions and ensure the continued development and production of advanced weapons systems. This effort is significant for the US defense industry and its ability to maintain a technological edge.

AcquisitionDoDModernization
Independent Media 6Think-tank/Academia 1

Development timeline

How this story unfolded across sources, oldest first.