The Iran and Ukraine conflicts have drained U.S. missile stockpiles — and restocking requires rare earth materials that China controls with an iron fist.
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.
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.