The UK has launched an internal investigation into the British Army’s use of Chinese-manufactured 3D printers, alongside a cyber risk assessment examining potential data security risks, Daily Mail reported.
This follows reports that portable systems produced by Shenzen-based Bambu Labs were used during a military exercise in Kenya, where they were reportedly employed to manufacture components for loitering munitions and other field-use equipment.
The investigation aims to determine whether these tools meet security standards before wider adoption.
According to the British news outlet, security analysts have warned that Chinese companies can be required to cooperate with state authorities under national legislation.
This raises the risk that sensitive design files or operational data processed by these systems, particularly those that rely on cloud connectivity, could be accessed or transferred.
UK Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed that the ongoing assessment is focused on the cybersecurity implications, including how data is stored, transmitted, and protected.
Scaling Up 3D Printing
The development comes as London accelerates the adoption of 3D printing across its defense supply chain.
In February, QinetiQ reported a test flight using a component produced from recycled titanium, recovered from a retired aircraft and reprocessed into aerospace-grade material.
The part was installed on a helicopter in collaboration with Additive Manufacturing Solutions Ltd.
In a separate effort last year, titanium-rich components, including jet engine compressor blades from retired Royal Air Force Tornado aircraft, were reprocessed and used to produce new parts for next-generation platforms.
In 2025, Babcock International secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract to support additive manufacturing for Ukrainian forces, including the development of digital design files to enable field-based production of equipment components, working alongside QinetiQ.
