Nato has identified 12 critical raw materials essential for producing advanced defence systems and equipment with a view to helping strengthen supply chains.
The metals named in the list are aluminium, beryllium, cobalt, gallium, germanium, graphite, lithium, manganese, platinum, rare earth elements, titanium, and tungsten.
"The availability and secure supply of these materials are vital to maintaining Nato's technological edge and operational readiness. Disruptions in their supply could impact the production of essential defence equipment," the US-led transatlantic alliance said.
Aluminium is used in military aircraft and missiles, while graphite is used in producing main battle tanks and corvettes due to its high strength and thermal stability, as well as in submarines. Cobalt is essential for producing superalloys used in jet engines, missiles and submarines, which can withstand extreme temperatures.
Identifying these key materials marks Nato's first step toward building more resilient supply chains and is part of the alliance's defence-critical supply chain security roadmap. The roadmap has five lines of action and includes strategic stockpiling, recycling and substituting materials for defence applications.
Defence supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, mainly due to trade tensions and geopolitical issues surrounding several critical metals.
Speaking in Brussels last week, recently-appointed Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte highlighted the need to increase defence spending and manufacturing in an increasingly turbulent security environment. "On defence production, I am absolutely convinced that ramping it up is a top priority," he said.
