Securing America's Defense Supply Chain: Critical Minerals as a National Security Imperative

As geopolitical competition intensifies, securing reliable supplies of critical minerals has become essential to U.S. national defense and industrial resilience.

This executive panel will examine how defense manufacturers, government leaders, and investors are addressing supply chain risks for rare earth elements, titanium, graphite, niobium, and other strategic materials vital to military readiness. Discussion will explore lessons learned from recent supply chain disruptions, strategies for diversifying sourcing beyond China, strengthening public-private partnerships, fostering government-industry collaboration, and attracting investment needed to build secure, long-term domestic and allied supply chains.

Key Discussion Themes:

• Defense readiness and mineral security

• Lessons learned from recent supply chain disruptions

• Diversifying suppliers outside China

• Long-term sourcing strategies

• Government-industry collaboration

• Public / Private partnerships

• Investor perspectives