politics
March 19, 2026
West Point analysis warns that strait of Hormuz blockade will strangle US defense industry
Report shows how minerals critical to defense readiness have seen a ‘near total’ disruption in seaborne trade
TL;DR
- The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is severely impacting the US defense industrial base and repair capabilities.
- Seaborne trade of sulphur, a key input for minerals like copper and cobalt, has seen a 'near total' disruption, causing prices to spike.
- These minerals are critical for manufacturing and repairing defense equipment, including microprocessors, jet engines, and drone batteries.
- The war's impact on mineral supply chains could double or more the cost of replacing damaged weapons.
- US defense contractors have opaque supply chains, with only 6% having full transparency, hindering military planning.
- Copper is essential for radar, communications hardware, and factory operations; over 30,000 kg are needed to replace two major US radars destroyed in Bahrain and Qatar.
- Sulphur is also a key ingredient in explosives, and limited production capacity for high explosives is a concern.
- This situation represents a 'prelogistical crisis' that has been overlooked in military planning.
Continue reading the original article