Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether security concerns were raised by officials in his Department prior to the procurement and implementation of Bambu Lab 3D printers for use in critical drone production; what due diligence his Department undertook before adopting its cloud-based 3D printing technology; and what steps he is taking to ensure that data relating to UK defence capabilities is adequately protected.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains rigorous security procedures to ensure the protection of all sensitive information and capabilities.
Bambu Lab 3D printers are used within the MOD as part of limited trial and experimentation activity. These printers are not connected to the defence network, nor are they employed to manufacture sensitive components.
The MOD does not currently use any cloud-based 3D printing services; however, a cyber assessment is under way to evaluate the potential opportunities, risks and security requirements associated with any future adoption of such technologies.