Defence Equipment: Minerals
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the critical minerals supply chain relies on a single source.
Answered by Luke Pollard
The Department is addressing dependencies on concentrated sources of Critical Minerals likely to be affecting the defence sector by improving visibility and enhancing collaboration with industry and like-minded Allies (including NATO and Australia).
Efforts focus on developing alternative sources of supply, investing in allied capacity, and promoting recycling and substitution to reduce reliance on single suppliers.
The Ministry of Defence is playing an active role in implementing Vision 2035: UK Critical Mineral Strategy through this work, and on 10 June, signed a new Joint Statement of Intent with Australia on collaboration to secure critical minerals supply chains for Defence. This recognises that critical minerals are essential to our modern economy and increasingly our national security.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →