NATO has published a list of 12 raw materials deemed critical for the defense industry's production of advanced systems and equipment. The decision is part of an initiative aimed at strengthening member countries' supply chains and reducing the risk of disruptions that could affect defense readiness.

The raw materials highlighted in the list include aluminum, beryllium, cobalt, gallium, germanium, graphite, lithium, manganese, platinum, rare earth elements, titanium, and tungsten.

The initiative is part of the action plan approved by NATO defense ministers in June 2024. The goal is to ensure access to strategic resources necessary to maintain NATO's technological edge and operational capability. The list has been developed in collaboration with the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG), according to the press release.