美国国防工业面临严峻的关键矿产依赖困境。中国控制全球镓产量的94-98%，美国镓金属进口依赖率为100%，且国防储备中没有镓的库存[1]。2024年12月，中国禁止向美国军事终端用户出口镓、锗和锑，这一举措直接冲击了美国先进武器系统的生产[1]。
受中国出口禁令影响，从Lot 17开始交付的F-35战斗机被发现鼻锥内装有配重块替代雷达[1]。这些战斗机无法配备预期的新型AN/APG-85雷达系统，该雷达采用镓化氮(GaN)技术，需要约82千瓦功率[1]。受影响的F-35战斗机数量达到数百架[1]。
尽管2025年11月中国在美中贸易休战中暂停民用出口禁令至2026年11月底，但对美军用途的禁令仍在继续[1]。这表明美国国防供应链存在系统性脆弱性[1]。
The United States faces a severe vulnerability in its defense industrial base due to its complete dependence on imported gallium, a critical material for advanced military systems.[1] China controls 94-98 percent of global gallium production, while the US maintains zero domestic production capacity and holds no strategic reserves of the material.[1] This dependency became acute when China imposed an export ban on gallium, germanium, and antimony to American military end-users in December 2024.[1]
The consequences of this restriction have already affected the F-35 fighter program. Beginning with production lot 17, hundreds of F-35 aircraft were delivered with counterweight blocks installed in their nose cones instead of the planned radar systems.[1] These aircraft were supposed to be equipped with the AN/APG-85 radar, which utilizes gallium nitride (GaN) technology and requires approximately 82 kilowatts of power.[1] Without access to gallium, production of this advanced radar system became impossible, leaving a substantial portion of the fighter fleet without full operational capability.[1]
A partial reprieve emerged in November 2025 when China suspended its ban on civilian gallium exports until the end of November 2026 as part of a US-China trade truce.[1] However, China maintained its military export restrictions, meaning the defense sector continues to face constraints.[1] This ongoing restriction underscores the systemic fragility within the American defense supply chain and highlights the risks posed by dependence on a single source for strategically vital materials.