What Happened
Defense Contractor Strengthens Supply Chain Resilience
Lockheed Martin is pursuing domestic sources of scandium and germanium, two critical minerals used in advanced military systems. The company is negotiating with North American suppliers, including NioCorp Developments, Teck Resources, and 5N Plus, to secure long-term supplies. This effort follows the Trump administration’s push to strengthen US defense supply chains and reduce dependence on Chinese imports. According to TheDefenseWatch.com, Lockheed Martin’s move may signal a broader shift in defense acquisition priorities, with critical mineral security becoming an integral part of defense industrial planning.