I'm seeing a lot of nickel and chrome in these projects below.....

With all this trade war stuff going on and at the same time the  winter scale backs for Eskom that started 10 days ago... ..You would think that some deals have been done behind the scenes to secure Critical defence stuff. ..like Chromium which is on the list as critical...

With the South Africa , Eskom stuff going on ...and the Samancor, glencore agreement with Eskom to reduce output...it just got more dire to have deals.

The two big south african producers Samanacor and Glencore both said this:

"Glencore has slightly lowered its ferro-chrome production guidance for 2019 in anticipation of extended winter shutdowns and reduced power availability in South Africa.

"Samancor Chrome has cut South African ferro-chrome capacity under a power buyback deal with state energy group Eskom, a spokesman told Metal Bulletin on Friday January 11,2019".

Keep in mind that when these two producers talk about Winter months they mean:1 June 2019 – 31 August 2019)

Several other ferro-alloys producers in the country have made similar deals, as Eskom seeks to buy back power amid concerns about energy capacity. Samancor did not comment on the details of the agreement but market sources..."

Four months ago I posted this Canadian deal.

60 billion in warships-awarded to Lockheed

Irving , in Nova Scotia builds the ships and Essar Algoma in the Sault will  likely supply the  specialty steel.

https://www.thestar.com/halifax/2019/02/08/halifax-irving-shipbuilding-workers-applaud-60b-design-contract-awarded-to-lockheed-martin-for-warship-fleet.html

This announcement is absolutely HUGE.  HUGE HUGE HUGE.

Irving used Essar Steel algoma's steel in the past for projects.

ook at this previous project in 2015 for the arctic off shore  patrol ships:

https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/essar-to-benefit-from-massive-shipbuilding-contract-updated-photo-178322

The War ships need high percent chromium steel (HY80, Hy100, and stainless steel too)

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Today, this was announced : a 34 billion dollar handshake deal with .....Lockheed

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pentagon-lockheed-in-34-billion-f-35-deal-458821/

lIn what is billed as the largest procurement contract in the history of the Department of Defense (DoD), Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon reached a $34 billion “handshake agreement” for hundreds of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters.

"The agreement covers the purchase of 478 F-35 aircraft over low-rate initial production lots 12, 13 and 14. The Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin are negotiating on the final details of the contract, which would cover aircraft delivered to the USA, as well as development partners in the Joint Strike Fighter programme and Foreign Military Sales customer......."

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And in Canada.....it's not just the 60 billion in War ships...

Remember this from last year? The Canadians as "freeloaders" comment from Trump?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-nato-allies-delinquent-military-spending-1.4742588

U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his rhetoric on defence spending Wednesday, urging NATO countries to meet lofty spending targets immediately or risk being branded as "delinquent."

At the core of his criticism of the multilateral alliance is the argument that the U.S. foots the bill for far too much of the alliance's defence capacity, and other member nations — including Canada — are "freeloaders" for failing to contribute their fair share of domestic military spending.

-----On top of the 60 billion in warships contact announced in Feb. of this year..

We should see this other Canadian  procurement ...soon...notice the final Request for Proposals (RFP) is released in summer 2019.

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/procurement/fighter-jets/future-fighter-capability-project.html

https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/app-acq/amd-dp/air/snac-nfps/CF-18-eng.html

Project costs

Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged estimates the acquisition of the aircraft, associated equipment and setup to enable entry into service will cost $15-19 billion.

The first aircraft is anticipated in 2025

As outlined in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada will purchase 88 advanced fighter aircraft to contribute to the safety and security of Canadians and to meet Canada’s international obligations

List of Eligible Suppliers

In February 2018, Canada established a list of Suppliers eligible to meet Canada’s needs, as defined in the Suppliers List Invitation.

The list of eligible Suppliers includes the following teams (in alphabetical order):

• Sweden—SAAB AB (publ)—Aeronautics
• United Kingdom and Northern Ireland—Airbus Defense and Space GmbH (with MBDA UK Limited, L3 Technologies MAS and CAE Canada)
• United States—Lockheed Martin Corporation (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company) (with Pratt and Whitney)
• United States—The Boeing Company (with Peraton Canada Corp., CAE Inc., L3 Technologies MAS Inc., GE Canada and Raytheon Canada Limited Services and Support Division)

Only the above Supplier teams are currently eligible to participate in formal engagement activities and submit proposals under the Future Fighter competitive procurement process.

The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy will apply to this procurement. The objective of the policy is to maximize opportunities for Canadian companies, support innovation through research and development, and grow export opportunities from Canada.

Formal Supplier engagement activities were conducted in March, April, June and July 2018 and in February 2019. During this period, representatives of the Government of Canada engaged with eligible Suppliers to share and obtain initial feedback on Canada’s requirements and notional procurement approach for this competition.

Canada met with each Supplier to discuss aircraft system engineering, sustainment infrastructure, economic benefits to Canada and procurement approach.

As a follow-up to engagement with eligible Suppliers, Canada shared with them a Preliminary Security Requirements document. This document provides eligible Suppliers with insight into some of Canada’s security and interoperability requirements before the final Request for Proposals (RFP) is released in summer 2019.