Reuters
• Divya Rajagopal, Ernest Scheyder
Lockheed Martin is negotiating potential supplies of scandium and germanium from North American producers, including NioCorp, Teck Resources and 5N Plus, as pressure builds to strengthen U.S. defense-material supply chains. NioCorp’s preliminary agreement could cover up to 15 metric tons of scandium oxide annually for 10 years.
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Lockheed Martin is negotiating potential supplies of scandium and germanium from North American producers, including NioCorp, Teck Resources and 5N Plus, as pressure builds to strengthen U.S. defense-material supply chains. NioCorp’s preliminary agreement could cover up to 15 metric tons of scandium oxide annually for 10 years.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated five entities and one individual in China, India and Russia for allegedly acting as general sales agents for Iran’s Mahan Air. The action expands pressure on the airline’s international commercial network and its overseas service providers.
High activity
Tesla is reportedly considering selling or spinning off its China operations as part of preparations for a potential merger with SpaceX. A separate China business could reduce regulatory complications tied to SpaceX’s U.S. defense work and possible scrutiny from Beijing, though Musk has denied plans to separate the unit.
JetZero is exploring as much as $3 billion in U.S. Export-Import Bank financing to support its planned $4.7 billion Z4 aircraft factory in North Carolina. The effort is aimed at underwriting major industrial capacity for the company’s next-generation aircraft program.
Airbus said it has paid just over £36.4 million to UK revenue and customs authorities to settle a two-year-old investigation into export control violations.
Commerce Undersecretary William Kimmett said the department is building a list of “high priority” potential foreign weapon sales and will work to accelerate internal advocacy timelines, including during engagements at the Farnborough Airshow, according to Breaking Defense.
Poland’s Nitro-Chem, a major supplier of trinitrotoluene (TNT) for NATO armies, has signed a letter of intent with BAE Systems to build a production plant in Britain. The Polish Defence Ministry said the move is aimed at expanding TNT manufacturing capacity for defense customers.
Chinese titanium suppliers used the Farnborough Airshow to market materials to aerospace customers, aiming to expand beyond the home market. The push reflects expectations that tight global supplies of the critical metal will remain strong—despite ongoing U.S. tariff concerns.
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