Pentagon to Invest $174 Million in New Gallium Facility in Australia
The United States currently imports gallium from other nations, including from China.
TL;DR
- The Department of War will invest an estimated $174 million in a new gallium production facility in Australia.
- The investment aims to secure the supply chain for the strategic metal gallium.
- The facility will be located at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia.
- Alcoa of Australia will operate the facility, expected to produce 100 metric tons of gallium metal per year.
- Gallium is critical for modern defense technologies like semiconductors, advanced radar, and missile guidance sensors.