The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Babcock International a proof-of-concept contract that will enable Ukraine’s armed forces to 3D print military components, Babcock announced on 3 April 2025.
As prime contractor Babcock will work with UK defence technology company QinetiQ to create digital drawings and computera-aided design files of military equipment that can then be used to print parts in-country.
The initiative involves reverse engineering older parts to understand their function and design, enabling them to be digitally recreated on demand. Digital files will enable the manufacturing of parts during operations using a variety of methods that will include 3D printing.
“We aim to give Ukraine the capability to recreate the military parts that they need, where and when it really matters,” Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “This innovation builds on our engineering expertise and technology capability, giving us further opportunities to optimise 3D printing.”
“We are delighted to be working with Babcock to support Ukraine, and are immensely proud that QinetiQ is able to draw on our world-leading expertise in technical assurance to assist,” added Alan Hart, QinetiQ’s managing director of science, technology and weapons. “This latest contract demonstrates QinetiQ’s unequalled expertise in material capability assurance, and commitment to support to the frontline, whether our own or those of our allies.”
Other recent Babcock initiatives in support of Ukraine include an extension to the company’s in-country support for armoured vehicles such as UK-donated Challenger 2 main battle tanks (MBTs), ensuring they are repaired and restored as quickly as possible to the front line. Babcock manages vehicle supply chains and spares supplies into Ukraine and also shares its engineering expertise to train Ukrainian technicians to conduct the repairs themselves.
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