Introduction
As current global geopolitical tensions rise, questions arise regarding the availability of critical minerals used for defence. Critical minerals are essential raw materials whose supply chains underpin national security for both Canada and the United States. These minerals enable advanced defence capabilities, including fighter jets, precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare systems, hypersonic weapons, uncrewed aerial vehicles, submarines, and autonomous systems. As defence technologies evolve – incorporating more AI-driven sensors, high-performance electronics, and energy-dense batteries – demand for these materials is projected to grow significantly through 2030 and beyond. Both nations face shared vulnerabilities, particularly a reliance on adversarial supply chains, prompting coordinated strategies to secure domestic and allied production.
Rare Earth Elements
Rare Earth Elements (REEs), including neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium, stand out as among the most critical for future defence applications. These minerals are used to produce high-strength permanent magnets that operate under extreme heat and stress, powering electric motors in fighter aircraft, missile guidance systems, radars, lasers, precision-guided munitions, satellites, and night-vision goggles. Neodymium-iron-boron magnets, for example, provide the magnetic performance required for compact, high-temperature components in next-generation weapon systems. The U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) relies heavily on all 17 REEs in various capacities. Disruptions could impair combat capabilities across air, sea, and land platforms. In 2024, the U.S. imported 80 % of its REEs, highlighting ongoing risks as demand surges with the proliferation of uncrewed and autonomous systems. [1]
Tungsten, Gallium, and Germanium
Tungsten, gallium, and germanium are equally vital for emerging military technologies. Tungsten’s exceptional hardness and high melting point make it indispensable for armor-penetrating munitions, rocket nozzles, turbine blades in jet engines, and wear-resistant components in ammunition and cutting tools. Gallium (particularly nitride) enables semiconductors for advanced radar jamming, electronic warfare systems, air and missile defence radars, satellites, and communications equipment. Germanium supports infrared optics and microelectronics in sensors and night-vision devices. Canada produces 10 of NATO’s 12 defence-critical raw materials, explicitly including gallium, germanium, graphite, and tungsten, positioning it as a key partner for North American supply security. [2]
Cobalt, Niobium, and Beryllium
Cobalt, niobium, and beryllium address structural and high-temperature demands in future platforms. Cobalt forms superalloys for jet engines and magnets used in stealth technology and electronic warfare, while also appearing in munitions. Niobium strengthens high-performance alloys for jet and rocket engines, hypersonic weapons (enabling sustained speeds over Mach 5), and heat exchangers. Titanium provides lightweight, corrosion-resistant alloys for aircraft frames, spacecraft, and military vehicle armour. Beryllium is used in metal alloys for aerospace and defence applications that require extreme strength-to-weight ratios. These minerals will see heightened future use as militaries field more hypersonic missiles, electric or hybrid propulsion systems for vehicles and drones, and durable armor for contested environments. [3]
Tantalum and Other Materials
Tantalum and other materials round out the critical list for specialized defence needs. Tantalum’s corrosion resistance and high melting point suit missile warhead liners operating in extreme conditions. Aluminum, alongside steel, forms foundational structural components across defence manufacturing. Canada maintains abundant domestic supplies of aluminum and has designated certain critical minerals as national security priorities under its Defence Production Act to ensure supply for allied (including NATO) defence industries. [1]
Risk Mitigation
Both nations are actively mitigating risks through policy and investment. The U.S. has implemented NDAA procurement prohibitions (phasing in fully by 2027) banning rare earth permanent magnets, tantalum, and tungsten from China and other adversaries. Since 2020, the DoD has awarded over $439 million to build domestic REE supply chains, launched a five-year rare earth investment strategy, and used the Defence Production Act authorities for projects involving cobalt, graphite, and tungsten. Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy commits to a dedicated plan (due Q2 2026) for expanded production, processing, stockpiling, and procurement of defence-critical minerals, including $ 443 million over five years for processing technologies and allied partnerships. Canada co-leads the NATO Critical Minerals High Visibility Project for joint stockpiling and has negotiated offtake agreements for graphite and scandium. [4]
Canada / U.S. Cooperation
Bilateral Canada-U.S. cooperation is key to future resilience. The 2020 Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals has facilitated DoD investments in Canadian projects, leveraging Canada’s reserves and processing potential in gallium, REEs, niobium, and cobalt. Recommendations include enhanced patent capital, a potential critical minerals chapter in USMCA, and joint mapping of defence-priority projects to accelerate permitting and infrastructure in northern regions. [5]
Summary
In summary, REEs, tungsten, gallium, cobalt, and titanium will drive the next generation of Canadian and U.S. defence systems, from hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare suites to autonomous fleets and resilient armour. Sustained investment, domestic processing capacity, allied stockpiling, and North American integration will be essential to meet rising demand while reducing strategic vulnerabilities through 2030 and beyond.
Gold Proficiency
You can review the latest drone models by Oz Robotics here.
Sources
[1] media.defense.gov, https://media.defense.gov/2025/Dec/23/2003849070/-1/-1/1/ANNUAL-REPORT-TO-CONGRESS-MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA-2025.PDF and
[2] federal.register.gov, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/07/2025-19813/final-2025-list-of-critical-minerals and Gao.gov, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-107176.pdf and Csis.org, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-107176.pdf
[3] federal.register.gov, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/07/2025-19813/final-2025-list-of-critical-minerals and usgs.gov, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals#overview
[4] media.defense.gov, https://media.defense.gov/2025/Dec/23/2003849070/-1/-1/1/ANNUAL-REPORT-TO-CONGRESS-MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA-2025.PDF and Csis.org, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-107176.pdf and Gao.gov, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-107176.pdf
[5] federal.register.gov, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/07/2025-19813/final-2025-list-of-critical-minerals and Csis.org, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-107176.pdf
Disclaimer:
This summary is based on publicly available information from various government and company sources. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Though it has been taken to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of the reliability of the information.
Forward-looking statements, projections and estimates are subject to risks as outlined in the original company disclosures. Readers should consult official texts for full context. Nothing in the articles constitute forecasting, investment or financial advice. Please seek guidance from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.
Gold Proficiency
