Owning what Europe lacks – Power through metals
Strategic commodities such as gallium, germanium, and rare earths are crucial for Europe’s security and technological sovereignty – from defense to DeepTech.
1. Commodities: The silent vulnerability of European security
Europe is rearming – with billions for tanks, aircraft, and satellites. However, without the strategic storage of critical metals, every defense strategy remains on shaky ground. This is because many of these commodities originate from countries that are increasingly aligning themselves with Russia or withdrawing from the West.
Defense does not begin on the battlefield, but in the warehouse. Those who do not have the necessary materials in stock will not be able to deliver in an emergency – and thus will be unable to guarantee defense capabilities.
2. What the defense industry needs – and who supplies it
A single F-35 fighter jet contains over 400 kilograms of critical metals. Radar, infrared optics, engines, guidance systems – modern weaponry is high-tech. In this sector, China controls:
- 90% of heavy rare earths
- Nearly 100% of gallium
- A large part of germanium processing
Since April 2025, Beijing has been systematically throttling exports. Prices are rising, and availability is falling. Europe’s industry is reacting – for example, by building strategic stockpiles through companies like Rheinmetall or Airbus.
Without material, Europe’s defense remains – to quote Mao – a paper tiger: dangerous-looking, but ultimately toothless.
3. Europe's future is DeepTech
But Europe does not have to bet everything on war. DeepTech – meaning technologies like quantum computing, robotics, AI, or new energy sources – stands for progress, competitiveness, and economic sovereignty. And they require the same commodities.
The Handelsblatt Research Institute has identified ten strategic future industries – from cloud technology and biotech to aerospace. They all have one thing in common: Without gallium, germanium, indium, rhenium, hafnium, or rare earths, they remain theoretical.
Those who want innovation must have access. Those who want access must stockpile.
4. Your advantage – while it still lasts
Commodities are not speculation – they are strategic property. Those who own today will have influence tomorrow. Those who store physically are five to ten years ahead of the market.
Dysprosium oxide is currently almost impossible to obtain. China has severely restricted exports, and the market has dried up. This makes existing physical inventories all the more valuable.
Above all, those who own terbium oxide – one of the most recently regulated heavy rare earths – currently possess true strategic wealth.
The light rare earths neodymium oxide and praseodymium oxide, which are essential for magnet production, are still available at present. But for how much longer?
Act before Europe has to.