French aircraft engine manufacturer, including for Dassault Rafale fighters, Safran company, complains about supply chains turning into "weapons." And this is not surprising, because 90% of its rare earth metal needs the country's aviation industry covers with purchases from China.
As Reuters writes, Safran CEO and French aerospace association president Olivier Andries stated this. According to him, these critical resources are turning into a tool for creating dependency and gaining geopolitical advantage.
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Defense Express notes that actually it was always this way; one need only recall russian energy carriers that all of Europe used. It's just that in today's unstable world conditions, the issue has risen to the public plane.
Overall, before us is a good reminder that even France, which independently produces aviation and takes pride in its own autonomy in this matter, actually seriously depends at minimum on important resources. And this adds another leverage point for existing global suppliers, the largest of which is China.
The issue of rare earth material import sources has been actively raised in recent years, because 99-100% of processing capacities belong to Chinese. So in the U.S. itself, active work is underway to correct this, especially for defense industry needs.
Regarding the EU, they also purchase sensitive resources not only in China, but also in russia, which raises many questions against the backdrop of sanctions. However, they are also searching for alternative sources, among which Ukraine is also being considered.
For France, which is only increasing Rafale production, this issue is very important, considering the large order portfolio and even potential contract for Ukraine. So to maintain independent aircraft manufacturing, it may be necessary to invest even more funds and make additional compromises.
Recall that Safran itself recently agreed to large-scale technology transfer to India and help in developing fifth-generation fighter. It's quite likely that this is needed to support the company's capabilities against the backdrop of collapse of the joint FCAS project with Germany and Spain.
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