The Return of Matter: Western Democracies’ Material Impairment

• Titanium: The F-35 is a titanium bird at its core: bulkheads, key airframe structures, and high-temperature engine components live on titanium. China and Russia control roughly three-quarters of global titanium sponge capacity. The US is down to a single domestic sponge plant that cannot cover defense demand in a crisis. China has engaged in a massive capitalisation of its titanium sector, creating industrial clusters that dwarf Western capacity.

https://hotcopper.com.au/threads/fragility-of-titanium-supply-ipx-fixes.9008724/?get_post=true
With thanks to navy diver.

Raider