Militaries, Metals, and Mining | RAND
▻https://www.rand.org/blog/2023/04/militaries-metals-and-mining.html
In the case of titanium, for instance, Chinese production accounts for 52 percent of global titanium sponge production. The United States has a single domestic supplier of titanium sponge and relies on imports from Japan, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia for the rest of its needs.
Understandably, this situation alone might make military planners and acquisition professionals nervous. Add in a post-pandemic world and the Russia-Ukraine war, and risks of disruption abound. Whether a potential showdown looms between China and the United States over Taiwan or the South China Sea, or a conflict with Iran beckons, stockpiles need to be replenished to ensure military readiness—and that requires critical minerals.
Supplying Ukraine with artillery, aircraft, drones, munitions, armored platforms, and other equipment has had a noticeable impact on stockpiles. When the Pentagon ordered more Stinger missiles last year, for instance, military contractor Raytheon was hampered by parts shortages.