The Defence Secretary has ordered an investigation into the British Army's use of Chinese 3D printers to build weapons. 

It comes after it was revealed last year that the armed forces had used portable printers, which were manufactured by Shenzhen-based Bambu Labs, during a military exercise in Kenya. 

The technology was used to make so-called 'suicide drones' for attack missions, while army officers were also reported to be looking to train troops to use the 3D printers to arm themselves with a 'virtually endless supply' of weapons.

Security experts were quick to raise concerns over the use of the Chinese-manufactured 3D printers because, under China's National Intelligence Law, companies can be compelled to share data with the government.

It has now been reported that the Ministry of Defence has launched an internal investigation into cloud-based 3D printing. 

Defence minister Luke Pollard confirmed last week that a 'cyber assessment' was underway to evaluate the risks and security requirements associated with the use of such technologies. 

It comes amid reports that the MoD is seeking to speed up the adoption of 3D printing within the defence supply chain. 

But the investigation has been launched to ensure any products used are secure. 

Speaking to The Telegraph last year, defence expert Robert Clark said the decision to use a Chinese company for the army's 3D printing was 'outrageous' and 'shameful'.

'The Ministry of Defence are just not learning their lessons on this,' he said.

'We may as well be handing them the keys to the back door of our security systems.

Clark also accused ministers of using Chinese-made technology to save money despite security concerns.

'The big picture is that the MoD is currently facing a £2.5 million black hole for the next financial year, and they are clearly doing things now on the cheap', he said.

It comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer was criticised last year for overlooking the threat to national security by trying to improve Britain's ties with China.

Prosecutors said last October they had to abandon the trial of two British men charged with spying in parliament for China because the British government had refused to say Beijing was a threat to its national security.

Starmer's government denies ministers interfered in the case to appease Beijing.

But political opponents say it was the sixth occasion it has prioritised improving relations with China over security or human rights concerns.

Those opponents also pointed to the government's refusal to publish a long-awaited audit into relations with Beijing and the omission of China from a list of countries subject to stricter rules under a foreign influence registration scheme.

Starmer's Labour government has made improved relations with Beijing a key priority as it seeks foreign investment to make good on its election pledge to upgrade infrastructure and grow the economy.

But former senior security experts and trade advisers warned that it is a dangerous path to tread during a global tariff war, and when China has in the past been accused by rivals of deploying economic coercion when threatened.

China is Britain's fifth-largest trading partner, accounting for 5.5 percent of trade.