How to end China's chokehold on the Pentagon's supply chains
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/FELA7VKL65HHTADYWSPKMSQQLM.jpg)
The reliance on China in the US defense supply chain poses a threat to national security. China's control over the supply chains for military munitions and platforms hinders the ability to deter adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region. The dependence on Chinese companies and materials is a vulnerability that needs to be addressed. The Pentagon should focus on building resiliency by increasing inventories and exploring alternative sources. The government should also reevaluate its approach to addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and establish a central organization to oversee these efforts.
Source: Link
htmlFAQ - How to end China's chokehold on the Pentagon's supply chains
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Pentagon doing to end China's chokehold on its supply chains?
The Pentagon has been actively seeking to reduce its dependence on China by diversifying its defense supply chains. Efforts include investing in domestic production of critical materials, funding research into alternative technologies like microbe mining for rare earth elements, and adjusting policies to enhance supply chain security. Legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has continued to focus on supply chain vigilance to reduce reliance on Chinese-sourced products.
2. Has the Pentagon received governmental support for reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains?
Yes, lawmakers have expressed a strong desire for the Pentagon to map out its supply chain risks and reduce dependency on products sourced from China. Additionally, the White House issued a fact sheet on securing a Made in America supply chain for critical minerals, outlining strategies to diminish dependence on foreign sources like China.
3. What technologies are at risk due to reliance on Chinese supply chains?
Military critical technologies, particularly those involving renewable energy supply chains (like green tech and battery materials), as well as high-tech defense systems that rely on rare earth elements, are at risk due to the current reliance on Chinese supply chains.
4. What are some specific actions the Pentagon has taken to mitigate supply chain risks?
The Pentagon has taken actions such as awarding $35 million to MP Materials to build a U.S. heavy rare earth separation capacity and investigating innovative methods to obtain rare earth elements, such as through microbe mining. Moreover, mapping out supply chains and identifying vulnerabilities has been part of the strategy.
5. How has the conflict in Ukraine influenced the Pentagon's approach to its supply chain challenges?
Although not directly mentioned in the query, funds allocated for the Ukraine effort have been used by the Pentagon to help bridge gaps in defense supply chains and lessen industrial reliance on Russia and China, indicating a strategic reprioritization of supply chain security in light of global geopolitical tensions.
6. What are the goals of the Pentagon's initiatives to secure supply chains?
The overarching goals of these initiatives are to secure defense-critical supply chains by reducing dependency on potentially adversarial nations, ensuring the reliability and availability of essential materials for the U.S. military, and ultimately enhancing national security through a more resilient industrial base.