Indian Deeptech sets world record with highest on-site 3D printed structure in Himalayas

New Delhi, Apr 18: In a monumental leap for defense infrastructure and construction technology, Simpliforge Creations and IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with Indian Army represented by Arun Krishnan, have successfully delivered India’s first on-site 3D printed protective military structure at a staggering altitude of 11,000 feet above sea level in Leh under Project PRABAL. This marks the world’s highest-ever in-situ 3D construction printing feat, accomplished under extreme high altitude and low oxygen (HALO) conditions.

A statement said that under the guidance of Prof. K.V.L. Subramaniam of IIT-Hyderabad, Simpliforge Creations and IIT-Hyderabad teams developed specialized 3D printing technology capable of operating under extreme environmental conditions. This innovation enabled the construction of a form-optimized protective bunker using locally sourced materials, completed over a total printing time of fourteen hours.

The PRABAL initiative showcases how homegrown technology and academic-industry collaboration can push the boundaries of construction science. The deployment of this 3D printed bunker is not only a first-of-its-kind in India but also sets the stage for rapid, on-site, deployable infrastructure in challenging terrains, further strengthening the country’s defense preparedness.

This groundbreaking project marks a convergence of engineering innovation, military utility, and the Make-in-India spirit—paving the way for future-forward infrastructure solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Simpliforge Creations CEO Dhruv Gandhi stated, “Executing this project in the high-altitude, low-oxygen environment of Ladakh was an immense operational challenge—for both our team and our machines. The Robotic printer system was set-up and commissioned in under 24 hours proving its agility and mobility. The reduced oxygen levels affected everything from power systems performance, which were delivering lower energy output than they would on normal plains, to human efficiency. The low humidity and high UV posed challenges in integrity of the built material. Despite these constraints, we were able to meet our production targets and deliver a robust structure within a record timeframe of 5 days.”