U.S. missile production hit by reliance on Chinese metals
The American military sector is currently heavily dependent on external supplies of technological resources, according to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express. This situation necessitates the U.S. importing rare metals from China to produce missiles, including the Tomahawk. Ukrainians have noted that this dependency might explain why Donald Trump showed interest in sourcing metals from Ukraine.
The United States is compelled to import rare metals from China to produce missiles like the Tomahawk. This reliance underscores their dependence on Chinese supplies, especially significant given the ongoing competition in building advanced military machines. It is important to remember that Beijing is constructing, among other things, a modern submarine.
USA dependent on China
The defense sector requires tungsten, an element essential for the production of modern tanks, armored vehicles, and ammunition. Although there are small deposits of tungsten in America and Africa, the largest deposits are found in China. As a result, the U.S. must import this critical element from China to manufacture missiles, reports Defense Express.
The Ukrainian portal notes that while the American defense industry is generally efficient, it cannot operate without essential resources. According to a 2023 analysis by the CSIS institute, in the event of a potential conflict between the USA and China, the U.S. could launch at least 5,000 cruise missiles of various types, including Tomahawks and Harpoons.
Factories are efficient but need materials
The issue is that although the USA can produce a similar quantity of ammunition in a maximum of 25 months, this requires meeting the crucial condition of having access to essential resources that are not available domestically and must be imported from China.
Defense Express indicates that while the American defense industry relies on metal supplies from China, there was an order in 2018 for the U.S. military to systematically reduce its dependence on external materials and technologies, particularly from China. However, by 2023, the Pentagon and U.S. Air Force research facilities had become even more technologically dependent on China, as noted in the report.
Tomahawk missiles
The Tomahawk cruise missiles, highlighted by Defense Express concerning potential production challenges, are among the most recognizable and versatile components of the armaments used by American forces and their allies. Designed for precise attacks on distant targets, these missiles specialize in eliminating critical targets, such as command centers, key infrastructure, ammunition depots, and strategic military installations. Tomahawks are characterized by their capability to fly at low altitudes, using natural terrain features to evade radar detection and counter enemy air defenses.
With a range exceeding 1,200 miles, these missiles facilitate long-range attacks, minimizing risks for crews and combat units. Equipped with advanced navigation systems like GPS, inertial systems, and radars, Tomahawks maintain exceptional accuracy even in challenging combat conditions. They can be launched from various platforms: surface ships, submarines, and mobile land launchers, making them extremely versatile in military operations.