Thailand Emerges as Key Drone Supplier to Russia
In the first 11 months of 2025, Russia imported drones from Thailand worth $125 million, representing a staggering 88% of Thailand's total drone exports for that period. This figure marks an eightfold increase compared to 2024. Notably, in 2022, Russia purchased no drones from Thailand, a year when the country's total drone exports did not exceed $1 million. This dramatic shift highlights how global sanctions are reshaping international supply chains for dual-use technology.
China's Role and Supply Chain Dynamics
China has been a major supplier of drones to Thailand, with deliveries to the country reaching $186 million during the same 11-month period in 2025. Thai company Skyhub Technologies, which imported $25 million worth of drones last year, sourced them from the Chinese manufacturer Autel Robotics. These shipments included 976 units of the Autel EVO Max 4T model, each valued at approximately $9,000.
The company China Thai, now renamed Lanto Global Logistics, imported $144 million worth of drones from China in the first 11 months of 2025. The UK imposed sanctions on China Thai in October. The firm's annual revenue surged from just $450 in 2022 to $813,000 in 2024. Separately, the Russian company Aero HIT has approached the Russian Ministry of Defense for financial assistance to localize production of the EVO Max 4T model.
Representatives from Autel have stated that their drones are intended for civilian use and are equipped with geofencing systems to prevent flights in conflict zones like Ukraine. Phantong Loikulanant, Director-General of Thailand's Customs Department, confirmed that the export of Chinese drones from Thailand is not prohibited by law. These developments underscore the complex routes through which sensitive technology can circumvent international restrictions.
The surge in drone imports from Thailand to Russia signals a significant realignment in geopolitical supply chains, with previously minor players becoming crucial in the military technology sphere. Concurrently, China's active supply of drones to Thailand emphasizes its strategic role in providing technology to regional partners. The situation also demonstrates how international sanctions impact business, forcing companies to adapt to new conditions on the global market.