Few people know that a Vietnamese company’s recent export order of 5,000 unmanned cargo aircraft is the result of a decade-long journey marked by bitter failures but also by unyielding resilience.
Back in 2016–2017, CT Group had already devised a strategy to develop unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and began its research in the field.
By 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic—when Vietnam’s UAV industry was still in its infancy—CT Group partnered with the country’s largest agricultural UAV manufacturer at the time to establish Dr One. The name carried the meaning of “Number One Doctor,” while when written together, it formed “Drone,” representing Vietnam’s first scientific dream in this frontier.
However, “Doctor Number One” faced daunting challenges—not only the pandemic but also an unusual sense of isolation, as there was little understanding or support. While CT Group chose the risky and capital-intensive path of research and development (R&D), other shareholders in the joint venture argued for focusing on distribution, which promised easier profits.
Economic crises, internal conflicts, and the pandemic eventually drained Dr One. The venture had to be dissolved, putting an end to its first chapter.
One of Dr One’s products
Undeterred, the research team pivoted to military and industrial UAVs, turning to the Middle East as their launchpad. This time, they partnered with another leading Vietnamese company in military and industrial UAV development, with both sides committed to pursuing R&D.
CT Group funded the team’s determined push into the Middle Eastern market throughout 2022 and 2023. Eventually, their UAVs were showcased before the commander of a major Arab nation.
In 2023, the team established CT AirUAV. Yet fortune still did not favor them. The group repeatedly failed in Middle Eastern campaigns, a market notorious for its unpredictability and ever-shifting demands. Research speeds lagged behind market needs in a region where the world’s top players converge. Resources and capital quickly vanished into the desert sands. Even the most loyal supporters began to turn away. Once again, the team had to retreat.
A UAV model introduced in the Middle East in 2023
It was at this lowest point that CT Group’s leadership made a decisive move. They refused to give up or let valuable lessons go to waste. The team realized that mastering UAV core technologies and maintaining a research pace faster than market shifts were essential for survival. Gritting their teeth, they rose for a third time—rebranding themselves and redefining their identity as CT UAV.
Step by step, thanks to their resilience and commitment to learning, CT UAV got back on its feet, then advanced rapidly, gaining momentum in 2024 and 2025.
Today, the company stands among the fastest R&D players in the UAV sector, securing a formidable competitive edge. CT UAV is now calling on partners worldwide to join in realizing a grand vision: exporting Vietnamese UAVs across the globe.