The Indian Army has successfully collaborated with Simpliforge Creations and IIT-Hyderabad (IITH) to establish the country’s first 3D-printed military bunker in Leh, Ladakh, at an altitude of 11,000 feet.
The innovative structure, completed under Project PRABAL, represents not just a national milestone but a global achievement as the world’s highest in-situ 3D-printed construction ever accomplished in extreme high-altitude, low-oxygen (HALO) conditions.
Professor KVL Subramaniam from IIT-Hyderabad, who led the project, highlighted the technological significance:
“We constructed this military bunker using locally sourced materials, specially adapted for extreme conditions. This marks a new chapter for both the defense and construction sectors in India.”
The team conducted rigorous testing at IIT-Hyderabad’s advanced laboratories, including comprehensive analysis of local sand and aggregate along with rheology studies.
Dhruv Gandhi, CEO of Simpliforge Creations, talked about the remarkable efficiency of the construction process, noting that the team utilized a robotic 3D printer to establish the structure within just 24 hours.
The entire bunker was completed in a mere five days, with its design specifically engineered to withstand the harsh weather and operational challenges characteristic of high-altitude regions.
Arun, a PhD student from IIT-Hyderabad who made significant contributions to the project, expressed optimism about its broader implications.
The successful deployment of this technology demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in combining advanced construction techniques with defense requirements, potentially transforming how military infrastructure is developed in challenging environments throughout the nation.
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