Srinagar, Oct. 20 -- In May 2024, a rocket Agnibaan - SOrTed lifted off from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh featuring a single-piece, Additive Manufacturing (AM) printed semi-cryogenic engine rocket engine. The event demonstrated the country's competitive advancement of technology usage to become a major builder. The National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM) is helping more such start-ups in their R&D for development of critical engine parts using AM.

Nearly 2,000 kilometres away in the city of Ahmedabad, the Indian Army has a two-storey dwelling unit that was also printed by a machine. The Army has since used the same method in the Union Territory of Ladakh to produce precast defences.

A rocket engine and a soldier's home look n...