Shibanov G.P. Rare earth metals industry in the aspect of national security

Abstract: This article discusses the state of the Russia’s industry of rare earth metals in the aspect of national security in the aerospace sector. The article demonstrates the importance of having a reliable functionality of the domestic industry of rare earth metals for the basic and critical technologies of ensuring the security and defense capabilities of the country. The author gives a comparative assessment is given to the rare earth metals industry in the USSR and the Russian Federation; characterizes the deposits of rare earth metals; offers a brief assessment of the plans of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation on the development of rare earth metals industry. The research methodology is based on the theory of expert evaluations, comparative system analysis, military and economic and retrospective analyses.  The main conclusions of this research include the importance of development of the domestic industry of rare earth metals as one of the key factors in ensuring national security. The author stresses the importance of developing and implementing measures to phase out import substitution within the branches and fields of industry that require the use of rare earth metals.

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