- ASPI report introduces “sovereignty countdown” metric for critical supply disruption
- Steven Camilleri, SPEE3D CTO, argues national resilience is an engineering problem
- Australian Army printed M113 wheel bearing in 29 minutes during field trials
- Policy framework aims to identify which goods Australia must produce domestically
A new report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argues that national resilience should be treated as a measurable engineering challenge rather than an abstract policy objective. The report, titled “Make Stuff Here… Or Else,” introduces the “sovereignty countdown”—the measured window during which critical systems can operate during external supply interruptions. Author Steven Camilleri is co-founder and CTO of SPEE3D, an Australian metal 3D printing company.
Australian Army printed M113 parts in field conditions
During trials at Bradshaw Training Area, the Australian Army’s Additive Manufacturing Cell produced more than a dozen different replacement parts for the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, aiming to prove metal 3D printing can produce high-quality, military-grade parts that can be validated and certified in the field. One component, an M113 wheel bearing cover often damaged by trees when driven through bushland, was printed in just 29 minutes. The WarpSPEE3D system printed large metal parts up to 40kg at a speed of 100g per minute, even at temperatures of 37°C and 80 percent humidity.
The Australian Army announced a $1.5 million investment into a 12-month pilot of SPEE3D technology, which included the training of soldiers in 3D printing and trials of the WarpSPEE3D metal printer, both installed on-base and deployed in the field. During testing, SPEE3D’s 3D printers proved capable of being deployed within 30 minutes in difficult conditions.
Cold spray operates without lasers or controlled environments
SPEE3D metal 3D printers leverage metal cold spray technology to produce industrial quality metal parts in just minutes, harnessing the power of kinetic energy rather than relying on high-power lasers and expensive gasses, allowing 3D metal printing in the field at affordable costs. Unlike laser-based powder bed fusion systems that require controlled environments and extensive post-processing, cold spray deposition can operate in austere conditions. This distinction matters for countries like Australia where operating bases are remote and logistics chains stretch across thousands of kilometers of ocean.
Australia’s vast geography, remote northern operating bases, and deepening exposure to Indo-Pacific maritime competition have made dependence on fragile global supply chains for critical naval alloys a strategic liability, and regaining domestic production closes a vulnerability that no ally can reliably fill on short notice. A gap remains in the market for domestic sources of alloy powder, the key input to the additive manufacturing process; in times of conflict or diplomatic tension, it is vital that Australia can access a reliable supply of alloy powder, either domestically or within allied or ‘Five Eyes’ nations.
Framework targets production, repair, and regeneration capabilities
The ASPI report proposes a framework for identifying the goods and capabilities Australia should be able to produce, repair or regenerate domestically. The sovereignty countdown concept provides a quantifiable metric: how many days can a naval vessel operate without resupply, or how long can a manufacturer continue production if imports cease? This shifts policy discussions from political rhetoric to hard numbers that engineers and supply chain managers can measure and improve.
Metal additive manufacturing offers Australia a vital chance to enhance its industrial self-sufficiency by facilitating localized, on-demand production of crucial components; industries such as defense, aerospace, and energy frequently need high-precision, low-volume metal parts with specific requirements, which can be expensive and time-consuming to source internationally, and through metal AM, manufacturers can create these components domestically, minimizing lead times and bolstering supply chain security.
The ASPI sovereignty countdown framework offers manufacturers and defense planners a testable metric for supply chain vulnerability. Rather than debating abstract resilience goals, organizations can now calculate exactly how long critical systems will function during import disruptions, then prioritize additive manufacturing investments accordingly. For operations in remote locations or industries dependent on low-volume, high-value components, the Australian military’s field validation of expeditionary metal printing under extreme conditions provides a working blueprint.
What is the “sovereignty countdown” metric introduced in the ASPI report?
The sovereignty countdown measures how long a critical system can continue operating when external supply chains are disrupted. It provides a quantifiable timeframe—measured in days, weeks, or months—that replaces abstract policy goals with engineering data that can be measured, tracked, and improved through domestic manufacturing capabilities like additive manufacturing.
How fast can cold spray metal 3D printing produce functional parts compared to traditional manufacturing?
SPEE3D’s cold spray technology prints at 100 grams per minute and can produce parts up to 40kg. During Australian Army field trials, a two-kilogram M113 wheel bearing cover was printed in 29 minutes—a part that would typically require days or weeks through conventional supply chains. The system can be deployed and operational within 30 minutes, even in remote locations at temperatures reaching 37°C.
Article Source: Australia Is Turning to 3D Printing to Secure Its Industrial Foundation
