Namibia, Niger and South Africa on standby as US hunts for uranium in $2.7 billion drive as weapons stockpiles come under pressure

United States uranium production more than tripled in 2025, but the increase still covered only a small share of the country’s nuclear fuel needs, leaving Washington dependent on imports and increasing the importance of uranium-rich African countries such as Namibia, Niger and South Africa.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, American mines produced 2.1 million pounds of uranium concentrate in 2025, up from 657,000 pounds in 2024 and the highest level since 2017.

Even so, domestic output remains far below demand, with US nuclear operators purchasing 46.9 million pounds in 2025 while only 7% of deliveries came from domestic sources.

The uranium drive also has national-security importance because enriched uranium fuels US nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, while highly enriched uranium has historically been used in nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the US had used “virtually all” of some long-range precision missiles during the war with Iran, while Patriot and THAAD stocks were also under pressure.