Munich, 17 February 2025 – Resilient critical minerals supply chains are crucial to Europe’s, the United States’, NATO’s and other allied nations’ security. While energy transition and technological needs have dominated the debate, military needs must become a priority. Recent export bans coming out of China have heightened the necessity to address this issue, as the country currently supplies large shares of many essential military components.  

On Friday, 14 February, SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, the European Initiative for Energy Security (EIES) and its Energy Security Leadership Council held an exclusive event on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Plowshares into Swords: Rethinking Raw Material Supply & Recycling for National and Economic Security.  

The dinner convened European and American leaders at the intersection of defence, energy, finance and minerals sectors to discuss the role that government, defence agencies, and financial institutions should play in building domestic and resilient supply chains that meet military and civilian needs. Leaders noted the key role recycling plays in reducing dependence on imports and strengthening domestic supply chains.  

“Beyond the immediate Russian threat, supply chain disruptions pose some of the highest national and economic security risks to the EU over the next decade, and circularity policies can support both civilian and defence applications” said Albéric Mongrenier, Executive Director of EIES. “Plans to secure and develop Ukraine’s resources must be part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure the country’s short- and long-term national security and economic reconstruction, with strong involvement of Western players. Everyone involved will benefit from a joint approach.” 

Key takeaways from the event include:  

• Defence agencies and procurement play a crucial role in ensuring secure critical mineral supply chains, but the success of their policies depends on market structure and demand dynamics. For certain minerals, the commercial sector is needed to drive sufficient demand to justify final investment decisions in essential projects. 

• Defence agencies must intervene directly to ensure the supply of minerals with low commercial demand but essential defence applications, as has been done to boost domestic beryllium and titanium in the US. 

• Other minerals – such as gallium or bismuth – are not directly mined but obtained as by-products of other industrial metals, with supply being therefore dictated by broader market dynamics, presenting both challenges and opportunities. 

• Strengthening supply chains requires recognising the linkages between civilian and military applications and ensuring that strategies account for both national security needs and broader industrial demand.   

• Recycling policies limit exposure to geopolitical risks – including export restrictions from China - and can simultaneously benefit the defence and civilian industrial base.  

To build resilient and domestic critical mineral supply chains for Europe, the United States and allies, the commercial sector, national militaries, and NATO must coordinate carefully to ensure strategic alignment. The shared objective of allies must be reliable, transparent, and robust supply chains, and governments should consider various tools at their disposal such as direct investments and government guarantees, stockpiling, or supply chain coordination to achieve this objective.  

About EIES     

The European Initiative for Energy Security (EIES) advocates for secure pan-European and national energy policies, dedicated to fostering collaboration between government and industry leaders. EIES seeks to address critical energy challenges and champion comprehensive solutions for the benefit of Europe's energy security, transition, and industrial competitiveness. EIES works with the Energy Security Leadership Council-Europe (ESLC-Europe), composed of retired and active military, political and business figures, to achieve these goals.     

About SAFE 

SAFE is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization committed to transportation, energy, and supply chain policies that advance the economic and national security of the United States, its partners, and allies. SAFE has convened business and former military leaders since 2004 to support secure, resilient, and responsible energy solutions. Learn more at secureenergy.org. 

Contact: Isabelle Dupraz, Deputy Director – idupraz@secureenergy.org