Pune Hosts Indian Army’s First Seminar on Additive Manufacturing for Combat Equipment
Pune, 24th September 2025: The Indian Army’s Southern Command today organised its first-ever seminar on “Additive Manufacturing for Sustenance of Combat Critical Equipment” in Pune, marking a significant step towards integrating emerging technologies in defence preparedness.
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, delivered the keynote address. Highlighting the importance of maintaining combat equipment in operational conditions, he said that Additive Manufacturing — widely known as 3D printing — offers flexibility and speed that can complement traditional manufacturing methods. “Additive Manufacturing must be incorporated into the sustenance of Combat Critical Equipment in the Armed Forces,” he emphasised.
The day-long seminar served as a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and Army officials to exchange ideas and formulate strategies to accelerate the adoption of Additive Manufacturing.
Distinguished speakers included Lt Gen JS Sidana, AVSM, Director General and Senior Colonel Commandant of the Corps of EME, representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM), as well as experts from industry and academic institutions.
Deliberations covered a wide range of issues, from global and national research in the field to government policy support and industry investments. Sustainment Engineers from the Indian Army also presented their requirements and shared ongoing efforts to integrate Additive Manufacturing into operational systems. Experts stressed the need for stringent quality control and assurance measures to ensure the reliability of such processes in defence applications.
Key takeaways included recognition of the government’s policy facilitations, the industry’s investment roadmap, and the Army’s ongoing absorption of new-age production techniques. Interactive sessions encouraged collaborative discussions on building a robust ecosystem for advanced manufacturing technologies in the Armed Forces.
The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the Army’s commitment to working with academia and industry partners to strengthen India’s defence capabilities and contribute to national development.
