Why sustainable aviation fuel matters for Western militaries

The importance of jet fuel to any dynamic military goes without question. Fossil-based jet fuel is a critical commodity of concern for militaries worldwide, yet strategic thinkers, engineers, and leaders in the Royal Air Force (RAF) are exploring alternatives.

Military preparedness does not only require the newest technology; it needs the most advanced sources of energy. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) presents a critical new security asset for defence policies that can reduce dependency on non-renewable sources and fragile fuel supply chains. It also highlights a change in Western strategic thinking, forecasting how multi-polar dynamics are set to evolve globally. 

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Western air forces face fundamental risks in access to global fossil fuel supply chains, whether from uncertainty in the Middle East, the Caribbean, or unfair trade practices from state-run companies in China or Russia. The RAF is dependent on imported oil, creating higher costs, vulnerable reliance on exporting countries, and inflexibility in military readiness and operational capacity. Using SAF as an alternative fuel actually reduces regular jet fuel use by 50%, with a healthy by-product of reducing carbon emissions by over 80%. SAF works by refining and distilling combustible hydrocarbons derived from fats, oils, wood waste, alcohols, and other organic materials into a fuel that is chemically similar to traditional jet fuel.

The distillation process removes impurities such as sulphur and aromatics, resulting in a cleaner-burning fuel that produces fewer particulates, burns more efficiently, and improves engine performance and longevity. SAF undoubtedly diversifies supply chains, and military demand incentivises chemical engineers to develop new fuels using on-shored production facilities.  

The RAF has been flying jets with sustainable aviation fuels since 2021, but recently, Chinese manufacturers have taken the lead in exporting SAF to Europe. Chinese companies are expected to meet state-mandated export quotas, increasing manipulated market competition and raising concerns about the fuel as a strategic security asset. China holds the second-largest aviation market, positioning it to easily overpower Western markets through more streamlined manufacturing and state-run initiatives.

SAF has been costlier than traditional fossil fuels, especially in western markets where production efficiency lacks optimisation, feedstock supplies need expansion, and price differentials remain high. Markets have also lacked crucial intermediaries between innovation and military use. Logistics, aggregation, and cross-border distribution form the connective layer between SAF innovation and military adoption, where firms such as BGN Group operate. 

BGN Group, a Swiss-based commodity trader, has secured a series of strategic SAF deals in recent years, designed to decouple aviation fuel supply chains from traditional, often volatile, oil-producing regions. By investing heavily in both infrastructure and supply logistics, the firm sets an example for the private sector to insulate sensitive and overly reliant industries from geopolitical vulnerabilities. These efforts are particularly critical for high-stakes operators like the RAF, where fuel and energy security becomes an issue of national security.

Growth in Western aviation markets has, likewise, been driven by friendshoring and inter-military cooperation. In the United States, for example, alternative fuels are being used to enhance mission flexibility and operational effectiveness, allowing military operations to utilize local or regionally produced fuels even when far from larger bases. SAF technology and information are shared between the US and European states through NATO cooperation, procurement, and shared production contracts. In 2022, the RAF flew a 100% sustainable flight using genetically modified bacteria as a fuel source and flew a drone using a synthetic fuel in collaboration with the US Navy.

In admiration of the success, Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said, “This is an exciting moment for the RAF and British industry as they continue to develop pioneering solutions to help address climate change. These new approaches will maintain our world-class fighting forces whilst reducing our carbon footprint.” While the US Navy noted that “finding innovative solutions to operational challenges, and the ability to manufacture this fuel without large infrastructure requirements would be ground-breaking for deployed forces.”

Defence industries in both Brussels and Washington are aligning as SAF development improves defensive capabilities and meets carbon emission reduction goals. The Department of Defense has steadily increased funding into the hundreds of millions of dollars for individual grants, research, and SAF procurement pilots. Similarly, offtake agreements across the public and private sectors in Europe and the US are stabilising demand expectations and encouraging long-term market trust and sustainability. In late 2025, three Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed between Houston-based XCF Global (SAFX) and Impact Jets, BGN Group, and FlyORO, each aiming to scale SAF manufacturing, marketing, and supply chain solutions. BGN explicitly builds out supply chains and expands SAF distribution capacity while operating within the Western regulatory environment.

As they note in the MoU, the demand for SAF is expected to grow to 165 billion gallons annually by 2050, requiring the construction of up to 7000 new facilities worldwide. Western-based SAF development will ultimately advance military capacities for the US Air Force and RAF, reinforcing interoperability planning for the alliance and NATO logistics. Early movers in distillation and supply-chain integration will be best positioned to provide essential components and fuels at scale, ensuring allied forces retain operational flexibility in contested environments.

Team Washington refocused its national security strategy in 2025; however, the new emphasis on ‘America First’ military preparedness still shows strong compatibility with Brussels’ interest in climate sustainability, especially in the area of SAF. Western markets remain poised to scale transformative fuel solutions like SAF, innovating in collaboration through mutual understandings, military cooperation, and directed investments. Industrial alignment and technological transfer is increasing as well, with logistics networks from companies like BGN further supporting British and American strategic interests by participating in IATA trade rules, Western aviation standards, and international rule-of-law norms. 

SAF acts as a transition technology, advancing sustainability and military competitiveness. It bridges innovative creators with real defensive needs from Western militaries, practically fulfilling security needs in unforeseen ways. Essentially, the expansion of sources for fuel improves strategic autonomy, reduces exposure to hostile supply chains, and ensures stability for future technological development. In the recent past, impetus for change was largely driven by ESG initiatives and climate narratives; now, however, it is clear that SAF is needed for competitive advantage. Competition with Chinese or Russian manufacturing is important globally, but Western militaries should be aware of supply chain dangers as China aims to dominate the market. SAF technology offers a solution to new thinking about energy independence and resilience, especially when advanced through open-market aligned firms. With the proper investment and government direction, SAF will serve to prepare militaries in new, more cost-effective ways while improving geopolitical autonomy in an increasingly multi-polar world.