(Reuters) – European aircraftmaker Airbus has increased efforts to locate alternative sources of titanium. Russia supplies the largest amount, chief executive Guillaume Faury stated.

Airbus, through both its suppliers and directly to Russia, is subject to Russian sanctions but it is protected in the short and medium term,” he said at an annual shareholders meeting.

The international sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine don’t include titanium. Titanium is used extensively in aerospace, including large-sized landing gear for large aircraft.