EU prepares for war risk: Critical minerals will be stockpiled

According to a draft strategy document obtained by The Financial Times (FT), the European Commission is taking steps to bolster its resilience against potential crises. The plan emphasizes the EU’s concern over vulnerabilities exposed by escalating conflicts, climate change impacts, environmental degradation, hybrid threats, and cyberattacks.

The document states that the EU faces “a complex and worsening risk landscape,” prompting member states to collaborate on securing supplies of essential resources such as food, medicine, and even nuclear fuels. Specifically, efforts are underway to accelerate the creation of EU-wide stocks of cable repair modules, rare earth elements, and permanent magnets—components vital to energy and defense systems.

Cable repair kits aim to quickly address faults in energy and optical networks, while critical minerals are recognized as “indispensable for energy and defense applications,” according to the draft.

Cybersecurity and Emergency Preparedness:
FT reports that this strategic move is also part of the EU’s broader effort to enhance security and resilience, particularly against the backdrop of a high-risk environment driven by increased activity from hackers, cybercriminals, and state-sponsored groups. The EU Commission highlighted in the leaked plans that cyber threats are intensifying and demand coordinated, swift responses.

Previously, in March, the EU recommended households stockpile at least 72 hours of essential supplies for emergencies. Now, the Commission proposes establishing a “stockpiling network” among member countries to improve coordinated crisis response. However, the document admits that “there is limited shared understanding” of what essential materials are needed to prepare for rapidly changing risks.