Russia's defense industry remains dependent on strategic mineral imports: who are the suppliers

Despite having the world's largest reserves of mineral resources, Russia lacks complete production chains for several strategic minerals – alumina, tungsten, ferroniobium, and others – needed to sustain the demands of its military-industrial complex.

Source: a report by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESCU)

Details: After 2022, the Kremlin announced plans to increase the extraction of scarce raw materials. However, according to ESCU's assessment, most projects will not deliver industrial-scale results before 2035, creating a window of opportunity for external economic pressure.

China remains the largest supplier of strategic minerals to Russia. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Beijing supplied 1.6 million tonnes of alumina worth US$1 billion (31.5% of Russia's total mineral imports by value), 240 tonnes of tungsten worth US$9.8 million (97%), 3.8 tonnes of tantalum worth US$4 million (30%), and 1,732 tonnes of niobium products worth US$64 million (58%).

Ferroniobium was also supplied to Russia from Brazil – 1,033 tonnes worth more than US$33 million, accounting for around 30% of total imports. Another 388 tonnes worth US$12.8 million (11.7% of imports) came from Canada. Russia uses ferroniobium in high-strength and heat-resistant steels required for the production of missile casings, engines, and armored vehicles.

Another 82 tonnes of Dutch ferroniobium worth US$2.55 million reached Russia via Türkiye, while 40 tonnes of Brazilian and Canadian material worth US$1.22 million were shipped through Germany.

Ireland also supplied 960,350 tonnes of alumina worth US$567.68 million (17% of imports), which is used to produce aluminum and, consequently, military aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, including the Kh-101, Kalibr, and Iskander.

Supplies from Kazakhstan were also critical for the Kremlin. The country accounted for 69% of tantalum imports worth US$9.28 million and 76% of beryllium products worth US$11.03 million. ESCU analysts traced deliveries of these materials to manufacturers of the Iskander-M, Kinzhal, Pantsir-S, and Kh-59 weapons systems.

Uzbekistan supplied Russia with 3.95 tonnes of rhenium raw materials worth US$2.3 million, which are necessary for the production of aircraft and missile engines. Belarus supplied another 290 tonnes. Armenia was also a significant supplier, exporting 2,058 tonnes of molybdenum products worth US$65.25 million, accounting for 42% of imports. Almost the entire volume consisted of ferromolybdenum, which is used in steels for the aviation, missile, and defense industries.

"Halting supplies of strategic minerals will inevitably lead to weapons shortages in Russia and become a powerful argument in favor of a ceasefire. However, this requires decisive economic restrictions against the entire supply ecosystem – from raw materials to traders, exporters, and logistics hubs," said Olena Yurchenko, Director for Analytics, Research and Investigations at ESCU.

Background:

• Earlier, the ESCU identified the critical dependence of Russian aviation, including the Su-34 and Su-35S aircraft, on tyres from China. In 2024, Russia received aircraft tyres and tyre production materials from China worth more than US$60 million, which are critical for the Su-34 and Su-35S bombers (carriers of bombs and missiles).
• It was also reported that Latvia's security authorities are examining the possible export of natural rubber to Russia via Latvian territory. The country will also push for this raw material to be included in the EU's 20th sanctions package.
• The ESCU also identified the critical dependence of Russian aviation, including Su-34 and Su-35S bombers, on fuel additives from India and natural rubber supplied from the EU. No sanctions have been imposed in response.

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