Has the Department of Defense Done Enough to Tackle Critical Material Supply Chain Challenges?

Highlights

• The DoD is making significant investments in domestic rare earth and critical mineral processing facilities to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly China.
• Strategic investments include contracts with companies like Lynas USA, MP Materials, and South Star Battery Metals to develop mine-to-market capabilities.
• The department aims to establish resilient supply chains through:
  • Domestic production
  • International partnerships
  • Sustainable innovation in critical material processing

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How will incoming POTUS Donald Trump change the current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) strategy for advancing secure access to strategic materials vital for defense and technological superiority?

With heavy reliance on foreign suppliers—particularly China—for rare earth elements (REEs) and critical materials like titanium, nickel, and graphite, the DoD, under the outgoing administration, has been investing in domestic and allied capabilities to reduce vulnerabilities. These materials are essential for defense systems, including aircraft components, turbines, and advanced electronics, as well as clean energy applications.

Key initiatives include a $258 million contract with Lynas USA (opens in a new tab) to establish a rare earth separation facility in Texas, a $35 million investment in MP Materials (opens in a new tab) to build a heavy rare earth processing plant in California, and funding agreements like $3.2 million to South Star Battery Metals (opens in a new tab) for domestic graphite production. These projects aim to develop mine-to-market capabilities, enhance domestic processing, and create sustainable production pipelines while meeting environmental and labor standards.

The DoD also pursues international partnerships to strengthen supply chains, signing bilateral Security of Supply Arrangements (SOSAs) (opens in a new tab) with allies like South Korea and Estonia. These agreements ensure resource prioritization and resilience during emergencies. Investments like $12.7 million to increase titanium powder production and $23.4 million to upcycle scrap into high-grade metals demonstrate the department’s focus on innovation and sustainability.

However, critical challenges remain. High production costs, environmental compliance, and competition with low-cost international suppliers, particularly China, complicate efforts to establish a self-reliant supply chain. Questions arise about the scalability of domestic projects, the timeline for reducing foreign dependency, and the feasibility of aligning environmental goals with industrial ambitions.

The DoD’s multifaceted approach, combining investments, partnerships, and intergovernmental coordination, reflects its commitment to securing critical material supply chains for defense and broader economic security. Yet, achieving these goals will require overcoming cost and infrastructure barriers to ensure competitiveness and sustainability.

Has the DoD made anywhere near the amount of investment needed to transform the rare earth and critical mineral dynamics of today?  What will be different when incoming POTUS Donald Trump is sworn in? Will he embrace and support the existing strategy?  China’s state-sponsored rare earth complex continues to manage a near monopoly for processing and magnet and other ancillary production.

Source: See “Securing Defense-Critical Supply Chains.” (opens in a new tab) Also see Department of Defense Critical Minerals (opens in a new tab).