The United States is moving to secure long-term access to critical minerals with a new tender to purchase up to US$500 million worth of cobalt for its defense stockpiles. The plan, unveiled by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) on August 20, 2025, calls for acquiring about 7,480 tons of alloy-grade cobalt over the next five years. Cobalt is indispensable for advanced defense technologies, from rechargeable batteries to nickel superalloys used in high-temperature sections of jet engines and gas turbines, yet the U.S. remains almost entirely dependent on imports.
The procurement drive comes against a backdrop of growing global supply chain vulnerabilities. China’s recent restrictions on rare earth exports, which triggered 75% drop-in rare-earth magnet shipments in June, exposed the fragility of global supply chains and forced some automakers to suspend production. In response, Washington has been pushing to diversify and secure alternative sources of critical minerals. Earlier this year, emergency powers were invoked to boost domestic production, and a new office at the National Security Council, led by former mining executive David Copley, was tasked with reinforcing supply chain resilience.
Washington’s procurement drive underscores how critical minerals are reshaping the definition of national security. By sourcing cobalt from allied suppliers, the U.S. is reducing exposure to adversarial trade risks while reinforcing the supply base for defense, aerospace, and clean energy technologies. The scale of the program—up to US$500 million—signals that minerals like cobalt are now viewed not just as industrial inputs but as strategic assets in global competition.