In the world of ultra-modern fighters, the F-35 has been presented as the ultimate machine of aerial dominance. However, behind its state-of-the-art sensors and advanced electronics lies a shocking truth: Lockheed Martin’s multi-billion dollar "spearhead" is being threatened by a single element—gallium. Instead of focusing on air superiority, the US is currently grappling with a crippling geopolitical dependence on China, which produces nearly 98% of this critical material. The result? Brand new F-35s are rolling off the line with "dummy radars"—ballast weights designed to keep the airframe balanced—while the superpower desperately attempts to mask this strategic vulnerability. It is clear that this is not merely a technical glitch, but a profound systemic weakness.
Numerous points of failure
On paper, the F-35 is a remarkable feat of engineering. Its myriad systems and sensors provide unprecedented situational awareness, allowing the jet to act as a force multiplier for other assets. In practice, however, the reality is starkly different. Lockheed Martin's flagship product is notorious for a litany of flaws, ranging from hardware and software bugs to poor engine performance and a lack of durability. Yet, a far larger problem remains largely undiscussed: chronic shortages of rare earth elements (REEs). It takes no expert to understand that Lockheed Martin requires these materials to manufacture the high-tech sensors that give the F-35 its edge.
The radar systems
At the heart of the issue is the radar, the "eyes" of any combat aircraft. As these systems become more complex, they require a higher percentage of expensive REEs. This has caused demand to skyrocket, particularly for the newest variants. A prime example is the AN/APG-85 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar by Northrop Grumman, an upgraded version of the AN/APG-81. The troubled Block 4 modernization program dictates that all new aircraft from Lot 17 onwards (starting mid-2025) will be equipped with the AN/APG-85.
Over 2,400 modules
The core material used in the production of the AN/APG-85 is gallium nitride (GaN). Various manufacturers within the American military-industrial complex (MIC) are responsible for supplying GaN, which is then processed by Northrop Grumman. The AN/APG-85 incorporates over 2,400 Transmit/Receive (T/R) modules, which form its functional core. While facilities like the Advanced Microelectronics Center (AMC) in Maryland manufacture high-performance GaN-on-SiC semiconductors for military use, they are entirely dependent on raw material supplies from external firms across the US, Japan, and Germany.
Absolute dependency
The raw gallium must originate from somewhere. Typically a byproduct of aluminum and zinc mining, roughly 98% of the world's supply comes from China. The Pentagon has long been uneasy about this reliance on Beijing for gallium imports, launching programs for domestic recycling and production to secure the supply chain for sensitive platforms like the F-35. Gallium is essential because GaN allows the radar to handle significantly higher power and heat compared to older models, vastly improving detection range and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.
Made in the USA with Chinese raw materials
Because the AN/APG-85 utilizes far more modules, the demand for gallium has surged, leading to acute shortages. Despite the Pentagon branding these radars as "Made in the USA," the raw materials are Chinese. Due to US pressure in the Asia-Pacific and ongoing trade wars, Beijing has implemented countermeasures. After initially restricting exports, China moved to a full ban on all gallium exports to America in response to continued escalations, including US missile deployments near the Chinese coast and support for Taiwan.
Taken by surprise
Political leadership in Washington was initially caught off guard by this move and attempted to negotiate. However, China remains firm, especially as the US continues to bolster the military capabilities of Taipei through the newly created Joint Firepower Coordination Center (JFCC). While Washington has not yet delivered the F-35 to Taiwan, it continues to supply other advanced weapons that likely rely on Chinese raw materials. Consequently, it is logical for Beijing to restrict the flow of these strategic minerals.
Dummy radars
This supply vacuum has forced the US government to hunt for indirect supplies through third parties and rely on industrial recycling. However, these efforts have fallen short, forcing Lockheed Martin to install "dummy radars"—essentially weight blocks—in newly built F-35s to maintain the aircraft's center of gravity and flight characteristics. The Pentagon's public relations machine is now in damage control, claiming this is a "simple technical issue" involving "physical incompatibility with older radar mounts," resulting in new jets flying with ballast plates for balance.
A $2 trillion program
The US Air Force claims it is mitigating the issue by networking "radar-less" aircraft with fully equipped ones, promising a permanent fix by Lot 20 in 2027. It is difficult to believe that a $2 trillion weapons program cannot secure its most vital sensors due to faulty "mounts." It is far more likely that the issue stems from the inability of Western political powers to maintain productive economies that can compete with China. Shortages of rare earth elements will continue to plague American systems, particularly the F-35, which requires over 400kg of REEs for its construction.
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