Additive Manufacturing —commonly known as 3D printing—is a process that creates three-dimensional objects by depositing materials layer by layer from a digital model. And it is no longer science fiction. From manufacturing spare parts on site where the parts are needed to reverse engineering and bionic designs, additive manufacturing is already reshaping the defence sector. For sure, additive manufacturing technology has the most game-changing potential for military logistics and this has been recognised by EDA and its contributing member States.
For two days from 8 April 2025, over 400 military, industrial experts and gathered at the 3rd European Military Additive Manufacturing Symposium in Bonn, Germany. The event was organised by the
German Association for Defence Technology – Centre for Studies and Conferences with support from the European Defence Agency (EDA). Key Notes were provided by EDA, AM Machine Manufacturer, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and from Armed Forces User perspective. The event aimed to foster cooperation by bringing together Armed Forces, Industry, and Academia to address military use cases and to align those with European industrial capabilities and competences. New innovations were presented bringing potentially operational advantage to Armed Forces in future.
A manufacturing revolution with military applications
Additive Manufacturing (AM) – a so called Emerging Disruptive Technology (EDT) - allows manufacturing of parts with complex structures, lighter wight and almost no design limitations than those made through traditional methods like milling and drilling. Industrial sectors like automotive, aeronautics and medical exploring for some time the advantages of AM technology. The biggest advantage of AM for military use is the significant reduction of so-called lead time, the time till a needed part has been made available where it is needed. AM technology can be used for on-site production and has a positive impact on the so called “military logistic footprint” and the operational availability of military assets.
“Additive Manufacturing is a prime example of the successful transition of a promising technology from research to military capability development under the umbrella of the European Defence Agency,” said Giuseppe Dello Stritto, Head of the Land and Logistics Unit at EDA.
EDA has already taken significant steps through key initiatives such as the Additive Manufacturing for Logistik Support (AMLS) project, aiming at developing common standards for interoperability among Member States, and the AM Village, designed as a capability workshop that connects military, industry, and academia AM experts to identify the most suitable AM technologies for military use cases and to foster military – industry cooperation. The 3rdedition of AM Village is scheduled to take place in Albacete, Spain, on 16-20 March 2026.
About EDA
EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the ‘hub’ for European defence cooperation, with expertise and networks that span the entire spectrum of defence technologies.