The Iran and Ukraine conflicts have drained U.S. missile stockpiles — and restocking requires rare earth materials that China controls with an iron fist.
I read the article and I have some doubts. The amount of these materials for thousands of missiles can probably be sourced elsewhere on Earth, possibly at the cost of paying more and getting shipments slower.
However, the market control that China currently enjoys, allows its native industries a considerable advantage in other sectors that needs millions of products - like cars, motorcycles, mopeds, etc.
Some of the uses listed seem are fairly extravagant and I believe materials could be replaced with something far cheaper (advise would be found in Ukraine).
But it does remain a fact that China has a near monopoly in rare earths.
The problem isn’t raw materials only, it’s production capacity. Missiles for patriot are only produced in low numbers per year. Increasing production capacity will need investment and time, and of course governments ordering more of them. The same is true for other high end weapons systems.
Finding a new source for raw materials might include construction of new mining and refinery facilities.
I read the article and I have some doubts. The amount of these materials for thousands of missiles can probably be sourced elsewhere on Earth, possibly at the cost of paying more and getting shipments slower.
However, the market control that China currently enjoys, allows its native industries a considerable advantage in other sectors that needs millions of products - like cars, motorcycles, mopeds, etc.
Some of the uses listed seem are fairly extravagant and I believe materials could be replaced with something far cheaper (advise would be found in Ukraine).
But it does remain a fact that China has a near monopoly in rare earths.
The problem isn’t raw materials only, it’s production capacity. Missiles for patriot are only produced in low numbers per year. Increasing production capacity will need investment and time, and of course governments ordering more of them. The same is true for other high end weapons systems.
Finding a new source for raw materials might include construction of new mining and refinery facilities.