The REEs Behind the F-35 Fighter Jet
Rare earth elements are at the center of a new era of defense investment and supply chain realignment. As Western nations seek to reduce dependence on China for critical materials, REEs are becoming increasingly important to national security and military readiness. These essential inputs help power a wide range of advanced defense technologies, including fighter aircraft, drones, missiles, radar systems, satellite communications and precision-guided weapons. This infographic highlights the seven rare earth elements that help power the F-35 fighter jet, supporting everything from propulsion and avionics to targeting systems and aircraft performance.
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Additional Rare Earth Resources
Rare Earths Deliver the Hidden Power Behind Modern Defense
Why the World Is Racing to Secure Rare Earths
Access Rare Earth Companies with Sprott
For investors looking to participate in this trend, Sprott offers exposure to the critical materials ecosystem, including three ETFs that invest in rare earth companies.
Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF (Nasdaq: REXC) is the only* ETF providing focused pure-play† exposure to rare earth companies. The ETF invests exclusively in companies outside of China that may have significant growth potential as supply chain security becomes a national priority.
Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF (Nasdaq: METL) is an actively managed ETF that aims to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in companies across the metals and mining industry lifecycle, including miners, recyclers, and royalty and streaming companies associated with commodities that are in high global demand.
Sprott Critical Materials ETF (Nasdaq: SETM) provides pure-play† access to a range of critical materials, including rare earths, essential to meeting rising global energy demand.
* Based on Morningstar's universe of Natural Resources Sector Equity ETFs as of 6/30/2026.
† The term "pure-play" relates directly to the exposure that the Fund has to the total universe of investable, publicly listed securities in the investment strategy.
Important Disclosures & Definitions
An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF Statutory Prospectus, which contains this and other information, visit https://sprottetfs.com/rexc/prospectus, contact your financial professional or call 888.622.1813. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are considered to have continuous liquidity because they allow for an individual to trade throughout the day, which may indicate higher transaction costs and result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account.
The funds are non-diversified and can invest a greater portion of assets in securities of individual issuers, particularly those in the natural resources and/or precious metals industry, which may experience greater price volatility. Relative to other sectors, natural resources and precious metals investments have higher headline risk and are more sensitive to changes in economic data, political or regulatory events, and underlying commodity price fluctuations. Risks related to extraction, storage and liquidity should also be considered.
Shares are not individually redeemable. Investors buy and sell shares of the funds on a secondary market. Only “authorized participants” may trade directly with the funds, typically in blocks of 10,000 shares.
The Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF and the Sprott Active Metals & Miners ETF are new and have limited operating history.
Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc. is the Investment Adviser to the Sprott Rare Earths Ex-China ETF. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the Distributor for the Sprott ETFs and is a registered broker-dealer and FINRA Member. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with Sprott Asset Management USA, Inc.