United States launches $12 billion Project Vault to secure gallium supply

10 articles · Updated · War On The Rocks · Apr 23

Project Vault, announced by the Trump administration in February 2026, aims to address gallium shortages after China imposed a ban on U.S. gallium imports in December 2024.
The initiative seeks to build a domestic supply chain for gallium extraction, wafer fabrication, and advanced packaging, targeting only 10–15% of national consumption by 2030.
Gallium nitride is vital for U.S. radar and electronic warfare systems, but China controls 99% of global supply, exposing U.S. national security vulnerabilities and prompting calls for further investment and workforce development.

With China's gallium ban looming, can the West build a rival supply chain before the 2026 deadline expires?

Can new U.S. extraction tech revive a domestic industry that has been dormant for nearly forty years?

Will the new U.S.-led mineral alliance (FORGE) break China's grip or just raise prices for everyone?

Will the Pentagon's $200B bet on 'heterogeneous integration' secure America's military edge in the chip wars?

How will recruiting Wall Street bankers to the Pentagon reshape America's defense and industrial strategy?