News Update

SDT Composites Revitalizes Thailand’s UAV Industry, Stepping Up as a Global-Grade Military Manufacturer

Thailand’s defense and aerospace technology sector is reaching a critical turning point amid security challenges, rapid technological shifts, and fierce global competition. Many nations are accelerating efforts to achieve technological self-reliance, particularly in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which have become essential military hardware in the modern era.

In Thailand, Siam Dry Tech Composite Co., Ltd. (SDT Composites) stands as a pioneer in developing and manufacturing aerospace-grade composite aircraft structures. The company focuses on building domestic expertise, driving local production, and elevating Thailand’s aviation and defense industries to compete on the global stage.

Mr. Thanadol Thomyaporn, Founder and CEO of SDT Composites, revealed that the company’s journey began with over 25 years of engineering and industrial experience before the COVID-19 pandemic became a major turning point, prompting the business to seek new directions.

During that period, SDT began researching aerospace-grade composite technologies, specifically Carbon Fiber Prepreg—a material renowned for its high strength-to-weight ratio and widely used by the world's leading aerospace manufacturers. Within just one year, the company developed high-standard knowledge and manufacturing processes, establishing itself as one of Thailand’s leading experts in aerospace-grade composite structures.

SDT Composites’ growth did not happen in isolation; it resulted from collaboration with the country’s leading academic and research institutions. These include the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Kasetsart University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology (TNI), and the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC). These partnerships supported material testing, structural analysis, and the development of technologies aligned with aviation industry standards.

Advancing Thai-Made Military-Grade UAVs

While most commercial UAV markets utilize general fiber materials, SDT Composites recognized the necessity for lightweight, high-strength, and highly durable structures designed for security missions. Consequently, the company has focused on engineering unmanned aircraft structures using aerospace-grade composites to support missions requiring high reliability.

A key milestone includes the joint development of the "MARCUS-B" military UAV with the Royal Thai Navy, an ongoing project since 2021. Through continuous field testing and iterative development, the initiative highlights the potential of domestic technology to significantly reduce reliance on foreign imports.

From Thailand to the Global Supply Chain

Today, SDT Composites has expanded its partnerships across government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector allies both domestically and internationally to co-develop various types of UAVs, particularly VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) Fixed-Wing UAVs.

Additionally, the company is preparing its production capacity to meet demand from international partners. Plans are underway to scale up to industrial-level manufacturing while integrating AI systems, flight controllers, and digital technologies into platforms developed in Thailand. This approach reflects the potential of Thai industry to step firmly into the global aerospace and defense supply chain.

Beyond aerospace-grade carbon fiber, SDT Composites is researching alternative materials derived from local resources to enhance raw material security and reduce import dependencies. One promising area of study explores the feasibility of processing economic crops such as hemp fibers into industrial and aerospace composite materials for the future, aiming to add value to domestic resources and create a new industrial supply chain for Thailand.

Meet SDT Composites at DronTech Asia 2026

At DronTech Asia 2026, scheduled for November 11–13, 2026, at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, SDT Composites will showcase its manufacturing capabilities in unmanned aircraft and advanced composite technology.

A major highlight will be the exhibition of the ZF410 UAV, featuring a look into its internal structure so visitors can closely observe the engineering design and manufacturing processes utilizing aerospace-grade composites.

Furthermore, SDT will present its vision for Industrialized UAV Manufacturing, aiming to support mass production within Thailand to build robust capabilities for the future of national defense and aviation industries.