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Global Commodity Intelligence

Q2 2025 | APRIL - JUNE

ALERT: Supply of Military-Grade Resistors During Geopolitical Tensions

Marisa Moreno, Senior Global Commodity Manager

Military-grade components are specifically designed and manufactured to meet stringent standards of reliability, durability, and performance required by military applications. These components undergo rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure they can withstand harsh environmental conditions that they have to operate in, including extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, moisture exposure, and electromagnetic interference.

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, military-grade electronic components have become essential to building defense systems vital to maintaining national security—in the United States and other countries with advanced defense and aerospace programs. Resistor manufacturers have seen a significant increase in the demand for these types of components.

With the increased demand, supply has now become a problem due to the following reasons:

Export Restrictions: Governments involved in conflicts may impose export restrictions on certain goods, including electronic components vital for military equipment. This can limit the availability of military-grade resistors in the global market.
Increased Demand: During heightened geopolitical tensions or war, military agencies may increase their demand for electronic components to bolster their defense capabilities. This surge in demand can strain existing supply channels and lead to shortages.
Limited Suppliers: Only a limited number of suppliers can meet the requirements for military-grade resistors. If one of these suppliers faces production issues or capacity constraints, it can lead to shortages in the market.
Priority Allocation: In times of conflict, governments may prioritize allocating critical resources, including military-grade components, to ensure uninterrupted production of essential defense equipment. This can result in reduced availability of non-military applications.
Rising Costs: Supply constraints coupled with increased demand can lead to higher costs, impacting their budget and potentially delaying projects.
Cybersecurity Risks: During geopolitical tensions, there may be an increased risk of cyberattacks targeting supply chain networks, potentially disrupting communication, data transmission, or production processes related to military-grade resistors.

Manufacturers like Vishay have confirmed that lead times have extended to 200 weeks for some leaded film and wire-wound military-grade resistors. Priority will be given to U.S. Military programs and contract agreements. Capacity expansion plans for these products are underway, but they will take some time to come online.

Overall, supply constraints on military-grade resistors during rising geopolitical tensions are a complex interplay of increased demand, disrupted supply chains, export restrictions, resource prioritization, production capacity limitations, and international trade dynamics. Please ensure the recommended actions are duly taken to navigate better the supply constraints we experienced. Feel free to reach out to me as required.

Recommendations:

Make sure purchase orders have the appropriate Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) rating to ensure prioritization for military and defense applications.
Work closely with the supplier’s customer service team to confirm delivery dates and options.
Check distribution stock availability, which helps identify sources of immediate supply for essential resistor components.
Qualify additional sources to ensure continuity, especially for those non-military applications.