Gallium Shortage: Impact on U.S. Military Capabilities
**In a significant escalation of trade tensions, China has announced a halt on the export of certain raw materials in response to increased tariffs imposed by the United States. As the world’s leading supplier of refined gallium, holding a staggering 98% share, China’s new export restrictions could severely impact U.S. military capabilities by April 2025. Gallium plays a crucial role in numerous military technologies, including radars, electronic warfare equipment, and satellite subsystems. Prominently, it is integral to the AN/APG-81 AESA radar used in the F-35 fighter jet, threatening the production and maintenance of such critical defense systems.
The AN/APG-81 AESA radar, developed by Northrop Grumman, is essential for the operational effectiveness of the F-35, allowing the aircraft to track small targets from great distances and counter enemy electronic warfare capabilities. This advanced radar functionality is fueled by gallium arsenide (GaAs) compounds, found in its monolithic microwave integrated circuits, crucial for high-frequency operations.
Gallium is favored for its efficient transmission of high-frequency signals and the thermal resilience it offers electronic components. Its applications extend beyond the F-35 to systems such as the EA-18G Growler and various satellite technologies. This gallium shortage threatens not only the F-35 production line but a range of critical military platforms. The United States is actively seeking alternative sources in countries like Japan and Germany, though the refining capacities of these nations are currently inadequate to meet demands.
Efforts to address this supply crisis include plans for new refining facilities and initiatives to recover gallium from electronic waste. However, experts warn that it will take many years for these measures to have a tangible impact. This situation underscores the vulnerabilities within the U.S. defense sector due to its heavy reliance on specific strategic materials. The ramifications of the gallium shortage could lead to severe economic repercussions and significant setbacks in military readiness.
A recent report from Bulgarian Military stresses the urgency for the U.S. to implement swift and comprehensive actions to bolster its strategic resilience. Without these measures, critical military capabilities, particularly those associated with advanced platforms like the F-35, are likely to suffer considerably.
In a related development, the launch of a new submarine by China that specifically targets U.S. military logistics has raised alarms regarding the operational readiness of American forces in the region. This increasing focus on military preparedness amid a gallium supply crisis highlights the pressing need for strategic planning and resource management in defense sectors.
