The Nature of the Critical and Strategic Materials Problem,

The economies and national defense systems of the industrialized, market-economy countries depend on many imported raw materials. Some of these materials are vital to the performance of advanced weapons or to basic production capacity such as machine tools. While no present shortage exists, the potential of supply interruptions requires national preparedness as a form of insurance. Adequate preparedness requires a multi-faceted strategy including the capability of short-term response, such as stockpiling, and longer term responses such as emergency substitution. Development of substitutes occurs normally only when a price or performance advantage is foreseen. Some substitutes are being developed through this natural economic process, but in other cases no direct economic motivation exists. Technically promising substitution development which could reduce vulnerability may require more deliberate and better organized government support. Author