The Hera UAV's controller connects via 4G, wifi, and bluetooth, featuring a thermal imaging display for locating people trapped in rubble, underwater, or at sea.

The 2025 International Exhibition on Fire Prevention, Firefighting, Rescue, and Security Equipment, organized by the Fire and Rescue Police Department, took place from 14/8 to 16/8 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Tan My ward (formerly District 7). The event showcased a variety of advanced UAVs developed for rescue operations.

Pictured is a six-rotor UAV developed by CT Group, capable of early fire detection. The device operates within a 20 km range, with a flight time of 30 to 60 minutes depending on the payload. It can carry a pump, firefighting equipment for high-rise buildings, and a maximum weight of 25 kg.

CT Group recently signed an agreement to export 5,000 transport UAVs to South Korea. These heavy-lift transport UAVs have a payload capacity of 60 to 300 kg and an 85% localization rate.

The automatic bay station is designed for automatic UAV operation, including battery charging, takeoff, landing, and navigating to fire locations, relaying the position to ground firefighting forces.

Another UAV, the Hera multi-role drone, produced by the domestic company Real-time Robotics (located in the TP HCM High-Tech Park), costs approximately 40,000 USD. With dimensions of 57x36 cm and made of high-strength steel, the UAV can carry rescue equipment weighing over 30 kg and has an operating range of 15 km.

The UAV is equipped with a multispectral camera that processes image data beyond human vision and Lidars sensors to measure distances to objects and surfaces, creating 3D maps.

Along with advanced machinery, the event also featured newly developed equipment to assist firefighters, such as victim search devices using radar wave technology and extendable poles with cameras connected to screens, displaying the location of victims trapped in confined spaces.

Also on display was a dragonfly-shaped, three-rotor UAV developed by Z113 Company (General Department of Defense Industry). This UAV has two launchers loaded with ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher projectiles.

A Z113 Company representative stated that the UAV successfully extinguished a fire in a 27 m3 high-rise room during testing. The UAV costs around 700 million VND, with each projectile costing 3 million VND. The Son La Forest Rangers have equipped themselves with this UAV for forest protection.

Several smaller UAVs developed by domestic companies were also showcased for firefighting support in high-rise buildings and apartments.

UAV technology has wide-ranging applications across various sectors, including industry, agriculture, freight transport, urban management, security, military, firefighting, and search and rescue.

In Vietnam, several companies are developing UAV products, but export orders remain modest compared to the potential. According to Markets & Data, the Vietnamese UAV market was valued at 73 million USD in 2023 and is projected to reach 191 million USD by 2031.

In addition to UAVs, several newly developed firefighting robots were also displayed at the exhibition.

The MFF-01 robot, manufactured by 3HP Company, weighs 660 kg, has a speed of 11.5 km/h, can climb slopes, overcome 3 m high obstacles, break through walls, and is equipped with a water cannon capable of spraying 4,800 liters/minute. It is the first firefighting robot produced and commercialized in Vietnam.

This robot has a thermal imaging camera, sensors to detect various toxic gases such as HCN, CO, and CO2 emitted from fires, and can carry two stretchers simultaneously for rescuing victims. Nguyen Trung Ha, Deputy Director of 3HP Company, stated that the robot's production cost is around 10 billion VND, and several units have already placed orders for firefighting purposes.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the exhibition. He urged businesses and citizens to enhance awareness, equip themselves with skills, and proactively prevent and effectively respond to all fire, explosion, and natural disaster risks.

The fire prevention and firefighting exhibition showcased over 400 pieces of equipment and products from 17 countries.

Quynh Tran - Dinh Van