Printing power: 3-D printing and threats to state security

Abstract

Recent advances in the field of additive manufacturing—more popularly known as ‘3-D’ printing—have revolutionized multiple fields such as medicine and manufacturing. We argue that this emerging technology also brings with it as yet unforeseen threats to state security, particularly as it relates to the empowerment of non-state actors. Previously these groups have been limited in their ability to pursue weapons programs such as those which would produce weapons of mass destruction by high technical barriers and costs. Consequently, existing non-proliferation regimes have been designed with these limitations in mind and are largely targeted at preventing the transfer of these weapons from states to non-state groups. However, advances in additive manufacturing will remove many of these barriers and empower non-state groups in ways which will directly challenge the supremacy and security of states. We evaluate the most likely advances in this technology, the ways in which these groups will seek to capitalize on these developments, and also suggest a number of possible strategies by which states can counter this emerging threat. Though many of the developments discussed here lie in the future, it is not too soon for states to begin developing methods of addressing these challenges.

Keywords:

• additive manufacturing
• state security
• technology
• terrorism

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Thomas Mahnken, panelists at the annual meeting of the 2014 International Studies Association, two anonymous referees and participants in the LSU Political Science Brown Bag research series for their helpful feedback.

ORCID

Daniel C. Tirone http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3961-6959

James Gilley http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0152-7325

Notes

1. Retrieved August 12, 2015 from http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/04/429341196/your-pill-is-printing-fda-approves-first-3d-printed-drug

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5. Retrieved August 12, 2015 from http://www.appropedia.org/Open-source_metal_3-D_printer

6. Retrieved March 1, 2014 from http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-05-16/bloomberg-view-why-3d-printing-can-make-the-world-a-better-place

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9. Retrieved March 2, 2014 from http://www.digitalafro.com/get-ready-vending-machine-lets-you-create-any-object-you-want-using-3d-printing/

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12. This outcome may also serve to enhance the probability of state sponsorship of WMD-based terrorism. A state which is currently reluctant to provide WMD to a non-state actor for fear of those weapons being traced back to them, inviting international reprisals, may feel more inclined to sponsor a terror group if the weapons were produced by an undetectable process. In this way, removing these signature signs of production may empower states as well as non-state groups to attempt to facilitate an attack against a rival using these types of weapons.

13. Retrieved March 12, 2014 from http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2002/05/52665

14. Retrieved March 12, 2014 from http://voices.yahoo.com/the-history-anarchist-cookbook-10195735.html

15. In justifying their use of these weapons against Ethiopia, the Italians stated that the “Ethiopians have repeatedly shown she is not worthy of the rank of a civilized nation” (Price, 1995, p. 97), with the implication that their lower status made them legitimate targets. The idea that chemical weapons were not to be used between advanced states may have also helped to deter their use during World War II, though fear of escalation and the sense that these weapons were of limited tactical value were also contributing factors to the British decision to abstain from their use when Churchill sought to retaliate against German use of these weapons by launching gas attacks against German cities (Moon, 1984, pp. 17–18).

16. Though the number of deaths was low, the casualty rate was over 5500 (Brennan et al., 1999, p. 192), and many individuals experienced long-term complications from exposure to the gas (Gosden & Gardener, 2005, p. 397).