Euronews: The critical raw materials essential for European defence readiness

ASD was prominently featured in a comprehensive Euronews analysis, published on 10 July examining one of the major challenges facing Europe's defence rearmament efforts – securing access to essential raw materials.

What are critical raw materials?

Critical raw materials are essential elements and compounds that form the backbone of modern technology and defence systems. These include rare earth metals, lithium, titanium, germanium, and dozens of other materials that most people never think about but are absolutely fundamental to everything from smartphones to fighter jets.

The term "critical" reflects both their essential nature and their supply vulnerability. Unlike traditional commodities such as oil or steel, many of these materials come from very few sources worldwide, creating potential chokepoints in global supply chains.

The scale of Europe's dependency

The statistics revealed in the article paint a stark picture of European vulnerability:

• Europe produces only 1% to 5% of the critical raw materials it needs.
• The EU anticipates a sixfold increase in demand for rare earth metals by 2030.
• Lithium demand is projected to rise sevenfold by 2050.
• From 2016-2020, the EU was entirely reliant on China for materials including lithium, magnesium, phosphorus, and titanium.

This dependency isn't just about defence – it affects every aspect of Europe's technological and economic future, from renewable energy infrastructure to digital technologies.

Europe's ambitious climate goals require massive deployment of renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. All of these depend heavily on critical raw materials. Without secure access to lithium, rare earths, and other materials, Europe's green transition could be severely compromised, potentially forcing the continent to choose between environmental goals and economic security.

In an increasingly digital world, control over critical materials translates to control over technological development. Countries that dominate these supply chains can potentially influence or restrict access to essential technologies, affecting everything from 5G networks to artificial intelligence development.

A single main battle tank contains aluminium, silicon, titanium, nickel, germanium, copper, and tantalum. Advanced fighter aircraft, missile systems, and electronic warfare capabilities all depend on reliable access to these materials. Supply disruptions could ultimately directly impact Europe's ability to defend itself.

Strategic approach to supply chain resilience

ASD's position on critical raw materials was clearly articulated in the Euronews article, with our spokesperson emphasising that "diversification is essential, and our industry is actively pursuing alternative sources, strengthening resilience, and reducing single-point dependencies wherever possible."

ASD offered crucial context about current risks, explaining that "the evolving geopolitical landscape has significantly increased the exposure and fragility of critical supply chains." ASD warned that "any disruption to these flows could severely impact defence readiness and industrial output, with potential consequences for European security and resilience".

The European Commission's Critical Raw Materials Act represents an ambitious attempt to address these vulnerabilities with specific 2030 targets:

• 10% domestic extraction of annual demand
• 40% domestic processing capacity
• 25% recycling within the EU
• Maximum 65% dependency on any single third country

However, the gap between policy ambition and practical implementation remains significant. Building domestic mining and processing capacity takes years or decades, requires substantial investment, and faces environmental and regulatory hurdles.

Long-term solutions require research and development into material substitutes, more efficient recycling technologies, and design innovations that reduce critical material requirements. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for European innovation. ASD said: "Whenever possible, building up domestic extraction, processing, and recycling capacities in the EU will be of utmost importance. The EU should also support R&D into critical raw material substitution"

This issue affects every European citizen because critical raw materials underpin:

• Energy security – renewable energy infrastructure and grid storage
• Digital connectivity – smartphones, computers, and telecommunications networks
• Transportation – electric vehicles and public transport systems
• Healthcare – medical devices and diagnostic equipment
• Economic prosperity – industrial competitiveness and job creation
• National security – defence capabilities and strategic autonomy

The decisions made today about critical raw materials will determine whether Europe can maintain its technological leadership, achieve its climate goals, and preserve its security in an increasingly complex global environment.

ASD's advocacy in this area demonstrates how the aerospace, security and defence industries are not just focused on immediate procurement needs, but are thinking strategically about the long-term foundations of European technological and security independence. This forward-thinking approach positions our member companies as essential partners in addressing one of Europe’s most complex strategic challenges.