iCAT 2026 PLENARY SPEAKERS

For Northern and Western European nations, the strategic importance of military self-sufficiency is becoming increasingly important, especially with regard to logistical independence from third countries such as the United States. The discrepancy between the stated desire for self-sufficiency and the current dependence on established global defense suppliers, in which the US plays a dominant role, highlights the need for European armed forces to utilize innovative technologies such as 3D printing. These technologies offer the potential to modernize military capabilities and increase logistical resilience against external influences. This lecture examines the current deployment status of 3D printing in the armed forces of Northern and Western European countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Military use cases and deployment scenarios are analyzed to assess the potential of 3D printing to reduce dependence on the US in military procurement. Furthermore, relevant technical terms from the 3D printing industry and military nomenclature in the context of logistical processes are explained. Finally, the challenges and limitations of implementing 3D printing in a military context are discussed, and a summary of the findings and an outlook for the future are provided.