Pentagon Initiates Efforts to Develop Domestic Rare Earth Element Supply

The U.S. Department of Defense is taking steps to establish a supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets to reduce dependence on China and secure its domestic supply network.

Laura D. Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Industrial Policy, stated on the 11th, “We have been working to secure the supply chain for rare earth elements needed for manufacturing rare earth permanent magnets over the past few months,” and added, “The U.S. can no longer afford to rely on foreign countries for key components.”

Rare earth permanent magnets are essential components used in F-35 Lightning II aircraft, Virginia and Columbia-class submarines, unmanned aircraft, and more. They are also utilized in the Tomahawk missile, various radar systems, and the Predator unmanned aircraft.

For example, the F-35 requires over 900 pounds of rare earth elements, the Arleigh Burke-class DDG-51 destroyer requires 5200 pounds, and the Virginia-class submarine uses 9200 pounds.

Rare earth permanent magnets are important in the defense industry and commercial applications. They also produce electrical energy for aircraft electronic systems and concentrate microwave energy in radar systems.

Since 2020, the Department of Defense has supported over $439 million to build a domestic supply chain for rare earth elements. This includes developing domestic downstream processes needed to separate and refine rare earth elements mined in the U.S. and convert the refined elements into metals and magnets.

In 2022, the U.S. military introduced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to analyze whether defense industry contractors use Chinese-made parts in aircraft components, electronic products, and raw materials.

U.S. companies are also accelerating the production of rare earth applications. USA Rare Earth plans to produce neodymium magnets in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Having received an investment of $35 million from the Department of Defense, MP Materials is making alloys and magnets for General Motors (GM) electric vehicles.

Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Restoration Daniel Miller said, “The Department of Defense’s strategic investments are effective at various stages within the rare earth supply chain” and predicted, “We expect to reach a sustainable supply chain that can support all defense requirements by 2027.”