The Impact of 3D Printing on the Defense Industry

In the defense and security industries, additive manufacturing has been on the menu for decades. However, it is only recently that additive technologies have been able to provide viable production applications for military and security actors. Today’s militaries rely heavily on support personnel and supply chains. Modern weapons systems and technologies are much more capable than ever, meaning fewer combatants are required to deliver the same impact. At the same time, the complexity of effective and advanced technologies often requires extensive preventative maintenance from trained technicians. This is to keep them operational in peacetime. In addition to defense support personnel, the private sector provides a broader layer of support in the initial development and manufacturing of weapons and technologies, as well as upgrades and maintenance. With such a strong focus on R&D, manufacturing, maintenance, and logistics, it is no surprise that 3D printers have become an essential tool for defense and security manufacturers. 3D printing has revolutionized numerous industries, including the military sector. 3D printing offers the army an exciting opportunity to enhance its operational capabilities by revolutionizing parts production for large pieces of military equipment. The new concept could significantly reduce lead times and improve the supply chain for military equipment parts by replacing traditional forging and casting methods. In this paper, we will discuss how the use of 3D printing in the military and defense field has become so widespread and show how 3D printing technology has played a role in warfare in recent years, especially in Ukraine and Myanmar.