Rare earth elements (REEs) are the invisible threads that weave together much of our 21st-century technology. Though their presence is often measured in grams or even milligrams, their absence would render much of the modern world impossible — from smartphones and satellites to stealth aircraft and electric vehicles.

These 17 metallic elements, including neodymium, dysprosium, terbium, yttrium, and europium, have unique magnetic, luminescent, and catalytic properties that no known substitutes can fully replicate.

Understanding which sectors depend most on rare earths — defense, clean energy, and digital electronics — is crucial for policymakers and industries, as global competition for access to REEs has become an issue of national security, economic resilience, and geopolitical leverage.

A. Defense Sector: The Invisible Backbone of Military Power

1. Rare Earths in Advanced Weapons Systems

Modern defense technology relies heavily on REEs to enhance precision, communication, and survivability. Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, for instance, are essential in actuators, radar systems, and guided missile fins that require compact yet powerful magnetic components. Dysprosium and terbium are added to these magnets to maintain magnetic strength under extreme temperatures — vital in fighter jets, tanks, and submarines.

Each F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter reportedly uses up to 400–450 kg of rare earth materials, including yttrium, terbium, and neodymium. These materials are embedded in sensors, targeting systems, control surfaces, and jet engines, allowing unparalleled agility and stealth capabilities.

Similarly, smart bombs and guided munitions rely on REEs in their laser targeting and navigation systems. Yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) lasers, doped with neodymium, produce high-intensity beams used for precision strikes and rangefinding.

2. Communication, Radar, and Surveillance Technologies

Defense communication networks — including satellite links, radar arrays, sonar systems, and secure optical channels — all rely on REEs. Europium and yttrium are used in phosphors that create high-resolution display screens for radar and night-vision systems. Samarium-cobalt magnets power radar rotation systems and navigation gyros that must perform under extreme environmental stress.

Undersea warfare also depends on rare earths. Sonar transducers use REE-based ceramics such as lead zirconate titanate doped with lanthanum to detect objects over long distances. These devices allow navies to monitor submarines and protect maritime routes.

3. Strategic Implications

The dependence of defense systems on REEs creates a vulnerability that extends beyond economics — it affects national security. If refining or export of these materials is disrupted, even temporarily, it could delay production of advanced weaponry, reduce readiness, or ground fleets.

Because of this, countries like the United States, Japan, and members of the European Union have classified rare earths as “critical defense materials” and are investing in stockpiling, recycling, and domestic refining projects to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers, especially China.

B. Clean Energy Sector: Powering the Green Revolution

1. Rare Earth Magnets in Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Electric vehicles are among the largest and fastest-growing consumers of REEs, primarily for their electric motors. A single electric car typically contains 1–2 kilograms of neodymium and praseodymium in its permanent magnets. Some high-performance models, such as Tesla’s or Toyota’s hybrid systems, also include dysprosium to stabilize the magnets at high temperatures.

These magnets are superior to conventional ferrite ones, offering higher torque and efficiency, which translates to longer driving range and lighter vehicle weight. As global EV sales surge past 15 million units annually, demand for REEs in this sector could increase five- to tenfold by 2035.

2. Wind Turbines and Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Rare earths are indispensable for direct-drive wind turbines, which use permanent magnets instead of gearboxes, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance. Each large offshore wind turbine (rated around 3–5 MW) can require up to 600 kg of neodymium and 100 kg of dysprosium.

These materials are also used in the generators of hydroelectric plants and in the motion systems of solar tracking mechanisms that follow the sun’s movement throughout the day.

As the world shifts toward carbon neutrality, the clean energy transition paradoxically increases reliance on REEs. Without stable supply chains for these materials, green technologies risk becoming a bottleneck rather than a liberation from fossil fuels.

3. Energy Storage and Grid Stability

REEs are crucial not just for generating clean energy, but for storing and distributing it. Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries — still widely used in hybrid vehicles and backup systems — rely on lanthanum and cerium. Lanthanum constitutes nearly 25–30% of the total weight of the alloy used in these batteries.

Additionally, rare earth dopants improve the performance of superconductors and phosphors in smart grids, allowing for more efficient electricity transmission and advanced diagnostic sensors.

C. Digital Electronics Sector: The Core of Modern Connectivity

1. Smartphones, Computers, and Consumer Electronics

The digital world is built upon rare earths. Your smartphone alone contains around 8–10 different REEs, including:

• Neodymium and dysprosium — in vibration motors and speakers.

• Europium, terbium, and yttrium — in display backlighting and color pixels.

• Lanthanum — in camera lenses for enhanced light refraction and clarity.

• Cerium — as a polishing compound for glass screens.

Laptops, tablets, and flat-screen TVs also rely on REEs for energy-efficient LEDs and high-contrast displays. A modern smartphone may contain up to 0.5 grams of rare earth oxides, yet when multiplied by billions of devices, the total demand becomes enormous.

2. Data Centers and Cloud Infrastructure

Every search, video call, or AI computation relies on powerful servers made possible by REEs. Yttrium and europium enhance the phosphors in LEDs used in display panels and optical fiber systems, while cerium and lanthanum are used in catalysts and semiconductor polishing processes during chip manufacturing.

Moreover, the miniaturization and energy efficiency of computing devices depend on REE-doped materials that allow smaller, faster, and cooler components.

3. Telecommunications and 5G/6G Networks

Rare earth elements enable the high-frequency transceivers used in 5G and future 6G communication networks. Yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) filters, for example, are crucial for filtering and amplifying microwave signals. Without REEs, modern telecommunication infrastructure would lose its high-speed and low-latency capabilities.

D. Comparative Dependency Across Sectors

While all three sectors depend heavily on REEs, clean energy and defense face the highest risks from supply disruptions because substitutes are either inefficient or nonexistent.

E. The Emerging Geopolitical and Industrial Challenge

The growing demand for REEs in these sectors has triggered a new era of resource geopolitics. China currently controls over 85% of global refining capacity, giving it leverage over critical supply chains. This concentration of control has prompted the U.S., Japan, the EU, and African nations to explore new mining projects and invest in refining technologies to diversify supply.

If the world is to secure a stable transition into the green and digital age, it must address not only where rare earths are mined, but also where they are refined, recycled, and controlled.

The Common Thread of Modern Civilization

From the jet fighter soaring through the sky to the wind turbine turning on the horizon and the phone in your pocket — rare earth elements are the unseen power within all. They are not merely resources but the technological DNA of modern civilization.

The defense sector ensures sovereignty, the clean energy sector ensures sustainability, and the digital electronics sector ensures connectivity — all tied together by these remarkable elements. Whoever controls the rare earth supply chain, therefore, controls the pulse of the modern world.