U.S. Fighter Jets Delivered Without Advanced Radars Due to Gallium Shortage
The U.S. is facing a critical shortage of gallium, a metal essential for advanced radar systems in fighter jets. Over 300 new F-35 jets are being delivered without their next-generation radars, instead equipped with ballast weights. This shortage is attributed to China's near-monopoly on gallium production, which accounts for 99% of global supply. The lack of gallium is impacting the U.S. defense industry's ability to maintain technological advantages in military electronics, as gallium nitride is crucial for modern radar capabilities. 
