Additive manufacturing ‘Prometeo’, improving the operability of the Spanish contingent deployed on the Eastern Flank Latvia

• During the first half of 2025, this 3D printing team has generated around 150 spare parts for equipment and supplies

Within the framework of the Land Forces Deployment in the Eastern Flank in Latvia, the ‘Prometeo’ team is tasked with generating spare parts through additive manufacturing, which increases the operability of the Spanish contingent. This function is performed by systems commonly called as ‘3D printers’, which use filaments of different polymers, mainly poly lactic acid (PLA), polyethylene (PETG) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

The ‘Prometeo’ is made up of personnel from the Agrupación de Apoyo Logístico 11 (AALOG 11), whose base is located in Colmenar Viejo, Madrid; and, during this first semester of 2025, it has printed around 150 pieces, which not only represents a significant economic saving, but also lightens the recovery time of the different materials and equipment.

In most cases, the printed parts correspond to discontinued spare parts, a shortage of a particular part in the maintenance stores or an identified need on the part of the user of a system. In this way, spare parts can be obtained in a matter of hours or days, whereas an original part would take much longer to arrive on site. Therefore, this equipment greatly improves the operational capability of equipment and thus the efficiency of units deployed outside national territory.

The ‘Prometheus’ team can generate catalogued parts, in which case the part would be recreated by reverse engineering, or else the part would be generated from scratch.

Likewise, if the part needs to be designed, the ‘Prometeo’ team can also generate newly designed parts. To do this, the part is designed in a ‘CAD’ type application and then the printing project is prepared using a cutting or slicer application; and, once the part is printed, it is then ‘post-processed’, whereby the optimum finish is achieved for its subsequent use.

The final stage of the process is to test the part. If it is suitable, its design is uploaded to the portal of the parts manufacturing centre of the Army's Logistics Support Command. On this portal, the Central Logistics Organs and other units upload the designs with the requirements, means and processes to be followed for the correct printing of the parts.

Concerning its deployment outside Spain, the ‘Prometeo’ container is not only deployed in Latvia, but also in Lebanon (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) and, finally, in Slovakia (Eastern Flank Land Forces Deployment). In Slovakia, ‘Prometheus’ has more modern additive manufacturing systems and subtractive manufacturing systems, which enable it to manufacture metal parts with high strength and precision.

NATO's forward presence and Spain's participation

NATO's military presence on the Alliance's eastern flank is a key element of its enhanced deterrence and defence commitment, which has grown in recent years to reflect the new security reality in the Euro-Atlantic area. In total, this NATO contribution - sustainable and rotating - comprises eight multinational battlegroups, contributed by framework countries - including Spain in Slovakia - and other Allied contributors on a voluntary basis.

The Spanish contingent deployed in Operation East Flank Latvia XVI (F-E Latvia), under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS), is made up of units from Brigade X ‘Guzmán el Bueno’, as the base generating unit, as well as the Logistics Brigade, the Field Artillery Command and the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command, among others.

In Latvia, the main assets contributed by Spain to NATO's Multinational Brigade in Latvia - led by Canada - are the ‘Leopard 2E’ battle tanks, the ‘Pizarro’ ICVs and other additional capabilities with the deployment of a field artillery unit, an engineer unit and various logistical support elements. In addition, the contingent provides a NASAMS Air Defence Unit (UDAA), which contributes to the protection of Latvian airspace. In addition, Spain is contributing other mechanised assets, while also providing units that substantially improve the combat capability of the Tactical Subgroup, such as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) team and a ‘Raven’ unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

All in all, Spain is a responsible partner and ally, committed to NATO's defence objectives. This significant deployment of Spanish forces to support and reinforce NATO's forward presence on its eastern flank demonstrates Spain's firm commitment, through its Armed Forces, to our allies, as well as Spain's resolute contribution to the Alliance's deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe.