ZGXT(SZ:000831) Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-08-21 02:10Core Points - Australia and the United States are committed to reducing dependence on China's critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements, which are essential for advanced military equipment like submarines and stealth fighters [1][4][5] - Kevin Rudd emphasized Australia's capability to assist the U.S. in diversifying its supply chain for critical minerals, citing geological advantages and strong mining companies [1][3] - The U.S. plans to sell three Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia, with a total estimated cost of $245 billion, highlighting the strategic importance of rare earth elements in military technology [4][5] Group 1: Military Equipment and Rare Earth Dependency - Advanced military equipment such as the Virginia-class submarines and F-35 stealth fighters heavily rely on rare earth elements, with specific quantities required for their production [3][4] - A Virginia-class submarine requires approximately 4.5 short tons (about 4,080 kg) of critical minerals, while an F-35 fighter jet needs over 900 pounds (about 408 kg) [4] Group 2: Global Rare Earth Supply Landscape - China holds the largest rare earth reserves globally, with 44 million tons, accounting for nearly half of the world's total reserves, while Australia ranks fourth with 5.7 million tons [5] - India and Australia are exploring joint ventures to enhance their strategic mineral partnership, aiming to counterbalance China's dominance in the rare earth market [5][6] Group 3: Challenges in Supply Chain Development - Despite Australia's potential, establishing a robust supply chain for rare earth processing remains a challenge, with significant time required to build processing facilities [6] - Recent reports indicate that Australian companies have faced delays and losses in securing contracts and projects due to China's stronghold in the critical minerals sector [6][9]