UK Additive Manufacturer Urges Defense Procurement Reform
AMufacture, a UK-based 3D printing firm, is calling for a significant overhaul of defense procurement processes, arguing that current systems hinder the rapid adoption of additive manufacturing for critical defense needs.
Portsmouth-based AMufacture has highlighted that traditional, slow government purchasing methods could impede the UK's ability to meet the objectives of its Defence Investment Plan (DIP). The plan allocates £5 billion towards autonomous systems, but the methods for selecting and onboarding suppliers remain a question. Craig Pyser, CEO of AMufacture and chair of Additive Manufacturing UK, acknowledged the plan's publication but stressed the need for swift action, stating that the UK cannot afford to delay in bolstering its defense capabilities.
AMufacture, which operates a large fleet of HP Multi Jet Fusion printers and produces parts for various autonomous platforms, sees additive manufacturing as a key solution for rapidly increasing drone procurement. Pyser noted that AM eliminates the need for dedicated tooling, allowing for quick design modifications without lengthy retooling processes. The conflict in Ukraine serves as an example of this adaptability, where drone designs have been continuously updated in response to battlefield developments.
The Ministry of Defence's (MOD) proposed "hub and spoke" model for forward-deployed manufacturing, where components would be printed in operational theaters, is supported by Pyser. He views this as a test of the government's commitment to sovereign capability, assessing whether procurement decisions will favor agile, domestic suppliers. While AM is moving from prototyping to limited production across NATO, the UK's leadership role in AM adoption will depend on whether DIP funding reaches small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or is concentrated among larger contractors.
Pyser also advocated for fiscal incentives, such as business rate discounts and tax reliefs, to encourage defense-related employment and investment in the AM sector. He pointed to a recent British Army exercise where FPV drone airframes were 3D printed in the field at a significantly lower cost than off-the-shelf platforms. However, the MOD is now investigating security risks associated with the Chinese-made 3D printers used in that exercise, underscoring the need for a secure supply chain for sovereign additive manufacturing.
This development underscores the critical need for agile procurement frameworks to integrate advanced manufacturing technologies like additive manufacturing into defense supply chains. AM's ability to rapidly produce and iterate components, as demonstrated by AMufacture and the British Army, is vital for modernizing defense capabilities and achieving sovereign production goals, particularly for autonomous systems and in forward-deployed scenarios.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.