China is stagnating the flow of critical minerals to Western defense manufacturers, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
Western defense manufacturers are reportedly experiencing a delay in production and are now searching for other stockpiles for the needed minerals.
Beijing also added new restrictions earlier this year after trade with the US became strained. While some of the friction between the two nations has cooled, China has maintained tight control of the exportation of the minerals. In December., China banned sales of germanium, gallium and antimony to the US.
The material impact
One drone-parts manufacturer that supplies the US reportedly anticipates delays of up to two months and is now looking for an alternative supplier.
Beyond delays, the short supply has led manufacturers to pay upwards of five times what they had previously paid. This is expected to have a significant impact on the cost of defense systems.
One company told the Wall Street Journal they were quoted a price for samarium for 60 times the standard price.