Victory Metals (ASX:VTM) has been approved as a member of the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC), integrating the company into the American defense procurement network, according to a Monday filing with the Australian bourse.

The DIBC membership is designed to provide access to US Department of Defense funding programs, prime contractors, and downstream critical mineral processors, per the filing.

The company said this strengthens North Stanmore's role as a Western-aligned source of heavy rare earths and strategic minerals, including those subject to Chinese export controls, and supports its strategy of US-linked critical minerals partnerships, the filing added.