Chinese Military Tests 3D Printing and Drones for Weapons Maintenance

According to a report from official Chinese military media, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is now said to have used technologies such as 3D printing and drones to test remote weapons maintenance. One exercise aimed to 3D print parts and deliver them from UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to a simulated frontline battlefield. Various military journals and local media then picked up on the topic. However, it remains unclear when and where the military exercise actually took place.

According to the report, the exercise was part of training for the Northern Theater Command’s Air Force brigade. Military equipment was to be maintained or repaired using 3D printing, and drones delivered the parts to the battlefield for on-site maintenance. For part of the exercise, specific cases were simulated and practiced. In one simulation, for example, they had to repair damage to a missile launch vehicle. A maintenance technician in the backend received the message about the damage via remote communication, and he then produced a replacement part in the technical maintenance center using 3D printing. This 3D printed part was delivered to the front line by a drone so that the repair could be done on site.

The Chinese military relies on 3D printing and drones. (Credit: Azernews)

This approach offers several advantages. Firstly, it is much quicker to produce the spare parts locally and thus avoid dependence on supply chains. Secondly, it is also cheaper to make these parts using 3D printing rather than relying on components from the original manufacturing companies. The method that has now been tested by the PLA can create added value, particularly in contested or difficult-to-access areas.