# UK and US Secure Tungsten Supply Chains

The UK, US, and allied markets are seeking to expand tungsten mining, refining, and conversion capacity outside China, which supplied nearly 79% of mined tungsten in 2025. The procurement signals include a **$9.25 million** Pentagon commitment to a UK tungsten project and a **$36 million** US defense contract awarded to Elmet for molybdenum and tungsten alloys. A separate Masan–Elmet supply arrangement covers about 1,250 metric tons of tungsten trioxide equivalent annually, with refining and conversion services in Vietnam. The coverage does not announce an open solicitation, but it indicates strategic demand for diversified tungsten supply and processing capacity.

- Defense procurement teams and contractors can treat these commitments as evidence of interest in non-China sources across mining, refining, and conversion—not as an active bid opportunity.
- Tungsten suppliers and prospective subcontractors can assess whether their production or processing capabilities align with the projects and supply arrangements cited, including the UK, South Korea, and Vietnam activity.
- Companies seeking defense-market work should note Elmet’s award and supply-chain arrangement with Masan as examples of established participants and cross-border sourcing in this market.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Government of the United Kingdom
- Government of China

### Vendors
- Elmet (US defense contract awardee)
- Masan High-Tech (supplier and processor under a tungsten supply agreement with Elmet)
- Tungsten West (operator restarting the Hemerdon mine)
- Almonty Industries (operator associated with the South Korean Sangdong tungsten project)

### Sources
- [
        The new tungsten rush: UK, US look to secure supply chain | S&P Global
    ](https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/videos/metals/100826-the-new-tungsten-rush-uk-us-look-to-secure-supply-chain) - S&P Global