9 months ago
Indian Army Deploys 3D Printing Tech in Forward Areas
The Indian Army has started using a special 3D printing technology to build structures like bunkers and sentry posts quickly in forward areas.
This technology, developed with the help of IIT Hyderabad, is portable and can work well in mountainous regions.
The printed structures are strong and can protect against attacks.
Additionally, a five-day training camp on drone technology was held in Manipur, where security forces and faculty members learned about using drones for various tasks.
This training was organized by Assam Rifles and IIT Dhanbad, among others, to improve the technical skills of the participants.
Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps has operationalised on-site 3D concrete printing technology in forward areas, developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad under Project PRABAL.
The technology enables rapid construction of bunkers, sentry posts, and protective structures, with proven strength and protective performance through live ballistic trials.
The 3D concrete printer is vehicle-portable and optimized for quick movement in mountainous terrain, offering custom designs, enhanced blast and ballistic resistance, and efficient use of local materials.
The Drone Technology Bootcamp concluded in Chandel District, Manipur, with 165 participants from various security forces and IIT Dhanbad faculty.
The bootcamp focused on enhancing technical proficiency and operational awareness in unmanned aerial systems, including modules on drone electronics, flight operations, and sensor integration.
- Who
- Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps, IIT Hyderabad, Assam Rifles, IIT Dhanbad, Ministry of Electronics, MeitY
- What
- Operationalisation of 3D concrete printing technology and conclusion of Drone Technology Bootcamp
- Where
- Sikkim and adjoining forward locations; Drone Technology Bootcamp held in Chandel District, Manipur
- When
- 3D printing technology operationalised recently; Drone Technology Bootcamp concluded on December 5
- Why
- To enhance infrastructure development and technological capabilities in forward areas and among security forces
Key facts
- Technology
- On-Site 3D Concrete Printing Technology
- Project
- Project PRABAL (Portable Robotic Printer for Printing Bunkers and Accessories)
- Collaborators
- Indian Army and IIT Hyderabad
- Deployment Location
- Sikkim and adjoining forward locations
- Key Features
- Vehicle-portable, rapid construction, custom designs, enhanced blast and ballistic resistance
- Training Event
- Drone Technology Bootcamp
- Organizers
- Assam Rifles, IIT Dhanbad, Ministry of Electronics, MeitY
- Participants
- 165 participants from Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF, Territorial Army, and IIT Dhanbad faculty
Quotes
Lt Col Mahendra Rawat
Defence spokesman for the Indian Army
“The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad, under Project PRABAL (Portable Robotic Printer for Printing Bunkers and Accessories), has further advanced defence infrastructure innovation with the operational deployment of On-Site 3D Concrete Printing Technology.”
thehansindia.com
“The capability, already proven in other operational areas earlier, has now been effectively employed by Trishakti Corps in Sikkim and adjoining forward locations.”
thehansindia.com



