DRONTECH Asia 2026 is taxiing for takeoff this November 11-13 at Bangkok’s IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Hall 5, bringing together industry players from Thailand and abroad to showcase technologies and exchange perspectives on the future of the drone industry and its economic opportunities. Organiser GML Exhibition Co., Ltd. says the drone industry is entering a new phase with competition shifting from aircraft themselves to software, artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent systems and anti-drone technologies where regulations and infrastructure will also be important to the industry’s future growth
GML Exhibition (Thailand) Project Director Yaowalak Chuwichian said the drone industry is changing rapidly alongside technological advances, particularly in AI, intelligent systems, software and data management. As a result, drone applications are no longer limited to agriculture and surveying. They are expanding into industrial operations, infrastructure inspection, logistics, security, defence and rescue missions.
“Competition in the drone industry is no longer focused solely on the aircraft. It is shifting towards software, AI, intelligent systems and the ability to develop solutions for specific applications. This will be another important direction for the industry in the years ahead,” said Yaowalak.
This expansion reflects the growing role of drones in commercial applications, driven by their ability to improve operational efficiency while reducing time and costs. Their applications now span smart agriculture, infrastructure inspection, surveying and mapping, as well as logistics and deliveries to remote or hard-to-reach areas. At the same time, AI, advanced sensors and autonomous flight systems are transforming drones into intelligent platforms capable of supporting an increasingly diverse range of business needs. One clear change is the market’s shift from focusing on drones alone towards technologies and solutions designed for specific missions, including software, AI, systems for detecting and counter-drone systems (anti-drone systems), as well as autonomous systems that enable drones to carry out missions intelligently.
More than 40% of exhibitors at this year’s event are showcasing agricultural drone technologies, reflecting continued growth in Thailand’s agricultural sector. In 2025, 10,608 agricultural drones weighing more than 25kg were registered in Thailand. Meanwhile, defence and rescue technologies are also gaining attention, including reconnaissance drones, drone detection systems and counter-drone technologies, reflecting the market’s expansion towards solutions for specific missions.
Alongside technological development, the industry’s growth will depend on regulations and infrastructure that can support increasingly complex drone operations. This includes flight permissions, registration, examinations and licensing for drone operators, as well as air traffic management systems that enable different types of aircraft to share airspace safely. AI will also play an important role in route planning and air traffic management, supported by communications infrastructure for remote drone control and beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations—key elements in expanding commercial drone use in the future.
Regarding regional competition, Yaowalak said Thailand has strong potential to further develop its drone industry, particularly in agriculture, logistics, and defence applications. Thai operators are also beginning to expand their capabilities into larger drone platforms and technologies that support a wider range of dual-use applications. This trend is in line with the continued growth of the Asia-Pacific drone market, which is projected to reach approximately US$30.2 billion in 2026 and increase to around US$62.4B by 2033, representing a Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9%. Meanwhile, Thailand’s drone market was valued at approximately US$262 million in 2025, reflecting growing market opportunities alongside advances in technology and the emergence of new applications.
Realising this potential will require cooperation among the government, technology developers, industry and users to move technologies into practical use and connect Thai businesses with international partners and markets. The event brings together industry players and showcases drone and unmanned-system technologies and innovations from Thailand and abroad.
In addition to showcasing drone technologies and innovations, the event will feature seminars and panel discussions led by experts from the public and private sectors, covering key industry topics such as “Modern Military Unmanned Systems: Lessons Learned, Requirements and Future Capabilities” and “Thailand: A Hub Connecting ASEAN and the Global Drone Ecosystem.” The event will also feature indoor and outdoor flight demonstrations, as well as business matching sessions, providing opportunities for businesses, technology developers and users to exchange knowledge, build networks and explore new business opportunities.
More than 150 companies are expected to participate this year, up from approximately 70 at the event’s previous edition in Thailand in 2024. Around 40% of participating companies are Thai, while 60% are international, including companies from China, Turkiye, Russia, France, the United States and Singapore.
The event is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors and generate approximately US$2.9M-4.4M in business value. Executives and government representatives from the agriculture, defense, and disaster management sectors across ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, have also been invited to participate, helping strengthen regional networks and industry connections.
“DronTech Asia 2026 is intended to be more than a technology exhibition. We want it to bring together the public and private sectors, technology developers and users to exchange views and advance the practical application of drone technology. We also aim to help Thai businesses build stronger connections with regional markets and partners,” Yaowalak added.
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