Doug Cole’s Post

AS AMERICA’S MILITARY REARMS, IT NEEDS MINERALS—AND LOTS OF THEM The mineral supply chains for these munitions and platforms face risks and there is competing demand from nonmilitary applications. For munitions, copper faces skyrocketing demand amid US arsenal restocking. For instance, the DOD plans to increase its annual production of copper-containing 155-millimeter shells from ninety-three thousand to 1.2 million in 2025. Globally, Dubai-based Simon Hunt Strategic Services estimated copper usage in military applications in 2021 at 2.186 million metric tons—nearly 9 percent of global refined copper production—and growing at about 14 percent year-over-year through 2026. Copper supply chains also face disruption risks. Read more at:

The U.S. Military and NATO Face Serious Risks of Mineral Shortages   Critical minerals undergird great power competition and war. These nonfuel minerals and mineral materials are vital to countries’ defense industrial bases, enabling the production of military platforms like tanks as well as munitions and artillery shells. Therefore, mineral supplies can help sustain military power, while mineral shortages can severely undermine it. For example, the Allied powers’ control of most of the world’s minerals before World War II proved instrumental in their eventual victory over the Axis powers.   https://lnkd.in/eTZDajRb   M2i is an engineering, research, and services company that brings together people, technology, and solutions from across government, business, not-for-profits, and academia to provide guaranteed access and availability to critical minerals and metals for the purpose of national defense and economic security. We are creating the sustainable path to securing our economic and military resilience, by ending our dependence on imports from foreign nations.   #m2icorp #m2i #minerals #metals #otcqb #otcqb #mtwo M2i Global Corporation Doug Cole Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jeffrey W. Talley

𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰-𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟭. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 This report offers a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the global Military Propellants and Explosives market, providing quantitative and qualitative assessments by manufacturers, region/country, type, and application. It explores evolving competition, supply and demand trends, and key factors contributing to changing demands across multiple markets, recognizing the dynamic nature of the industry. 𝐓𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁. 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐃𝐅: https://lnkd.in/gwCn8PPn *𝗕𝘆 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Military Propellants, Military Explosives *𝗕𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Aerospace, Defense *𝗕𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa *𝗕𝘆 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀: General Dynamics, Rheinmetall, BAE Systems, EURENCO, Solar Group, Explosia a.s., Chemring Nobel AS, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, FORCIT Group, Poongsan Corporation, Luoyang Liming Research Institute Of Chemical Industry (lrici) #militarypropellants #militaryexplosives #ordnance #defense #security

NEW BLOG POST—The U.S. military relies on critical materials, such as titanium and tungsten, to build weapon systems. But many sources for these materials are controlled by China, which dominates their mining and processing. Today’s WatchBlog post looks at the Department of Defense’s efforts to secure supply chain access and stockpile materials: https://lnkd.in/eCGRD3-g

Submarines are the silent giants of naval warfare, essential for strategic deterrence and global power projection. According to the latest data from the GFI and the NTI, these nations have the most formidable submarine fleets: 1️⃣ Russia 🇷🇺: Russia's fleet includes 12 nuclear-powered missile submarines. The Graney-class and Sierra II-class subs are among the most powerful in the world, and the fleet is set to grow with 8 new nuclear submarines—3 Borei-class and 5 Yasen-class. 2️⃣ United States 🇺🇸: The US Navy boasts 64 nuclear-powered submarines, including lethal stealth subs such as the Virginia-class, the Ohio-class, and the Seawolf-class. The Columbia-class submarines are expected to join the fleet in 2031. 3️⃣ China 🇨🇳: China’s fleet comprises both nuclear-powered and diesel-electric attack submarines, such as the Jin-Class and the Shang-Class. Out of the 61, 6 Shang-class attack submarines are nuclear-powered. 4️⃣ North Korea 🇰🇵: While none of its 35 submarines are nuclear-powered, North Korea is bolstering its fleet with the addition of the ballistic missile submarine Hero Kim Gun-ok. 5️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵: Japan has been quietly upgrading its naval capabilities with advanced diesel-electric technology; their newest submarine is Hakugei, equipped with lithium-ion batteries for extended underwater operations. 👀 Which country's submarine fleet impresses you the most? 💬👇 #NavalPower #SubmarineFleet #MilitaryStrength #Defense #UnderwaterWarfare #Geopolitics #Military #GlobalPower #MaritimeSecurity Source: Global Firepower Index 2024, Nuclear Threat Initiative

1. The Chakra or Akula class boat has been returned to Russia. India really has only two nuclear submarines - sea trials are still ongoing. There is no point in talking about an Akula class 12,000 ton boat its not there and we will might not be able to lease from Russia again. Too complex. We need submarines built in Vishakhapatnam or Cochin. The beam and draft of the Arihant class have never been made public. Arighat has a single 83 MW domestic reactor. 12 × K15 SLBM (750 km range) or 4 × K-4 SLBM (3,500 km range) Torpedoes: 6 × 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes.

What type of submarine is INS Chakra? INS Chakra refers to two different nuclear-powered attack submarines leased by the Indian Navy from Russia at different times. 1. INS Chakra (S71): This was the first INS Chakra, a Charlie-class (Project 670 Skat) nuclear-powered attack submarine. It was leased from the Soviet Union in 1988 for a period of three years. It was primarily used for training and familiarization purposes and was returned to the Soviet Union in 1991. 2. INS Chakra (S72): This is the more recent INS Chakra, an Akula-class (Project 971 Shchuka-B) nuclear-powered attack submarine. It was leased from Russia in 2012 for a period of ten years. This submarine provided the Indian Navy with advanced underwater capabilities and served primarily as a training platform for Indian naval personnel in the operation of nuclear-powered submarines. Key Characteristics of INS Chakra (S72): - Type: Nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) - Displacement: Approximately 12,770 tons submerged - Length: About 110 meters (361 feet) - Beam: About 13.6 meters (45 feet) - Propulsion: Nuclear reactor providing a top speed of around 30 knots submerged - Armament: Includes torpedoes and cruise missiles. Specific armaments can include 533 mm and 650 mm torpedo tubes capable of launching torpedoes and anti-ship missiles like the P-700 Granit (SS-N-21). The lease of INS Chakra (S72) has been part of India's efforts to develop and enhance its underwater warfare capabilities and to gain experience in operating nuclear-powered submarines as it progresses with its indigenous submarine programs, such as the Arihant-class SSBNs.

Admiral John Aquilino reported to the US Congress that China's military modernization efforts pose a larger threat to Taiwan through the deployment of guided missiles rather than aircraft carriers. Aquilino highlighted China's comprehensive military modernization program, including increased military spending, deployment of new fighter aircraft and warships, expansion of missile stockpiles, and focus on projecting power beyond the first island chain. Aquilino also noted China's rapid growth in satellite launches and nuclear arsenal, as well as the development of stealth bombers and long-range missile systems. #AsiaRisk #GeopoliticalConflictandDisputes #Taiwan Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/gbFdRdvA

As it looks toward the largest industrial buildup since the Cold War, the US is torn between short and long-term needs. Should the US buy more 155mm artillery ammo or double down on future weapons? Here are THREE factors that will influence the largest buildup of the defense industry in a generation. 1️⃣ The Ukraine Factor Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still going to be a major factor in setting requirements. “We’re going to be selling 155 [mm] like a drunken sailor for a few years,” said Mark Montgomery. Other weapons used in the early days of Ukraine’s defense of Kyiv are likely to hit a plateau in production. Those include • Javelin • HIMARS • Stinger anti-aircraft missiles The Pentagon sent to Ukraine in large numbers early in the war and are also included in the supplemental, but which have taken on a secondary role as the fight. 2️⃣ The Allied Factor Allies can help solve some of the bottleneck problems. • The United States is co-developing new glide-phase interceptors with Japan • Australia is co-producing guided multiple-launch rockets. • Germany is co-producing guidance-enhanced missiles for Patriot air defenses. • Turkey is helping the United States set up 155mm artillery production-right in the heart of Texas. But after the political fights that took the supplemental more than six months to get through Congress, U.S. officials have acknowledged that the United States now has an image problem in showing itself to be a reliable torch-bearer for the global defense industrial base. There’s another major production plateau that members of Congress are trying to stave off: attack submarines. The Biden administration’s proposed budget for the upcoming year slashed funding for one attack submarine. For years, producing two a year had been the standard, even though U.S. shipyards only produce between 1.2 and 1.4 Virginia-class submarines each year, and new variants are 24 to 36 months behind schedule. And there are dependencies that are difficult—if not impossible—to cut. The United States still buys a significant amount of its titanium from Russia, which is used for everything from landing gears to tank armor, and is only slowly ramping up production of rare earth minerals, which are dominated by China. 3️⃣ The Regional Factor Where Congress and the Pentagon are having more trouble jolting the defense industrial base to life is for weapons that might be used in the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Army’s precision strike missile that would be used to hit incoming Chinese ships from more than 600 miles out, for instance, is still being developed—the seeker that would find enemy vessels isn’t finished—so there’s no way to ramp up capacity. “There are going to have to be some trade-offs between preparing for a near-term fight and near-term deterrence and probably making some trade-offs on some next-generation weapons systems,” said Seth Jones. (U.S. Army photo by Mark Henry)

The World’s Biggest Submarine Fleets - top 12 countries by their number of military submarines Submarines are crucial for navies because they provide stealthy, strategic capabilities for surveillance, deterrence, and offensive operations in underwater environments. This graphic shows the top 12 countries by their number of military submarines as of July 2024, based on data from GlobalFirepower.com. Russia Has the Biggest Fleet Russia ranks first with 65 submarines, followed by the U.S. (64) and China (61). Combined, the three countries account for 40% of the global fleet. When it comes to technology, however, the U.S. is ahead. According to Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. submarine technology is one generation, or 10 to 20 years, ahead of counterparts like China. The latest addition to the U.S. Navy, the Columbia-class nuclear submarine, is the most sophisticated vessel of its kind. It is stealthy and equipped with 16 missile tubes. The American fleet also has the Seawolf class, designed to address the threat of Soviet ballistic missile submarines and replace the aging Los Angeles class of submarines. During the 1980s, a fleet of 29 submarines was to be built, which was reduced to 12. With the end of the Cold War and each submarine costing about $3 billion, the program was reduced to only three units. Among the Russian fleet, the Sierra II Class, also known as Project 945A Kondor Class, remains one of the most expensive and deep-diving submarines. These vessels were explicitly developed for search and destroy missions against U.S. nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.