Latest Defence Supply Chain News

Metallium's US affiliate wins a US$1 million Phase II SBIR contract from the U.S. Department of War to pilot-scale its Flash Joule Heating technology, targeting gallium and germanium extraction from electronic waste. This advances the company’s push to secure domestic supply chains for defence-critical materials.

The Australian Treasurer has mandated the disposal of over 1.6 billion shares held by foreign entities in Northern Minerals, intensifying regulatory scrutiny of foreign ownership in this critical rare earths company.

Pure Resources has completed a pivotal sampling program at Garnet Hill, securing over 100 kg of material to underpin its multi-stream US defence materials platform, targeting abrasive garnet, jumbo flake graphite, and rare earth recovery.

Evion Group has secured an exclusive option to acquire a high-grade fluorspar project in Nevada, complementing its graphite assets and supported by a $6.5 million capital raise to fund US expansion and exploration.

Pure Resources has launched an integrated Defence Materials Platform Strategy for its Garnet Hills Project, leveraging US government collaborations to diversify from commodity mining into advanced defence supply chains.

Terra Critical Minerals has established a US foothold with the True American Tungsten Project acquisition while progressing key Australian and Canadian critical metals projects, positioning for upcoming drilling campaigns.

Battery Age Minerals delivered maiden drilling success at Austria’s Bleiberg project, expanded its Apex Germanium-Gallium footprint in Utah by 40%, and confirmed high-grade gold-silver mineralisation at Argentina’s El Aguila. The company also progressed germanium technology evaluations and appointed a new CEO.

Orbital Corporation advances its UAV engine production and hybrid propulsion technology while managing a $0.5 million net cash outflow in Q1 2026, supported by a $43 million business pipeline and new international contracts.

New Frontier Minerals has secured technical approval for its Big One Copper Deposit Mining Lease Application, updated exploration targets across multiple copper prospects, and expanded its rare earths footprint in Australia and Canada.

American Tungsten & Antimony Ltd (ASX: AT4) has joined the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium, unlocking direct access to Department of War programs and funding opportunities for its antimony and tungsten projects. The company will leverage this to advance its U.S.-focused supply chain ambitions, highlighted by a critical minerals event in Utah this May.

Aurora Labs has made significant strides in commercial propulsion delivery and deepened its partnership with European defence giant MBDA, while scaling manufacturing capabilities and reinforcing its Board with defence expertise.

Battery Age Minerals has joined the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium, positioning itself at the forefront of securing critical germanium supply amid escalating export restrictions from China. The company’s dual-continental assets in Austria and Utah and its technology initiatives aim to address strategic vulnerabilities in defence and semiconductor supply chains.