U.S. hands over 3D printers for spare parts printing to Ukraine

The United States in August handed over to Ukraine industrial 3D printers able to print spare parts to military equipment near the battlefield. This was announced by William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Voice of America reports. Ukrainian specialists have already mastered this equipment and can print the necessary spare parts.

The Ukrainians completed training on the use of these printers last week. "Finally, last month we delivered these industrial 3D printers to them in Ukraine, and last week their training on working with this printer was completed," the official said during a speech at the Center for a New American Security.

Industrial 3D printer. Illustration photo

According to LaPlante, the presence of these printers in the Ukrainian side "completely changes the matter," because they accelerate the process of restoring equipment damaged on the front and open up new opportunities.

"You can do great things with 3D printing, not just because of the speed. You can actually make parts that you could not make in normal conditions," the Pentagon spokesman said. He added that after the start of the Russian full-scale invasion, specialists in Ukraine began to independently print parts on 3D printers even without the appropriate permissions, and without technical data packages.

"You know, as they say, when your country is subjected to an existential attack, intellectual property laws matter only a little," the official said. "So we brought order with this, along with other countries. Now they (Ukrainians - ed.) have all the technical data packages," LaPlante said.

Applying 3D Printers

3D printed parts for UAV drop ammunition

In the fight against Russian invaders, Ukrainian defenders now use ammunition, the hulls of which are made with the help of 3D printers.

Also, the printers produce parts (plastic shanks) to adapt conventional ammunition for dumping from drones and other components.

In Great Britain, parts for military equipment were printed on a 3D printer. January 2023. Photo credits: Babcock International

As previously reported, the British Army received metal parts printed on 3D printers for armored vehicles earlier this year.

The parts were installed on armored vehicles, namely Titan and Trojan vehicles.

It is part of a telescopic system that provides visibility to the crew.