Russia imported $50 million worth of thermal imaging components in 2024, essential for its military and defense industry

RU

Russia imported thermal imaging devices and components worth more than $50 million in 2024, The Insider’s analysis of customs documents has found.

The imports included the types of thermal cameras that are used in a range of applications, from industrial furnaces to drones to rescue operations. Also on the list were thermal imaging matrices, lenses, optoelectronic converters, scopes, thermal cameras for casting control, monoculars with thermal video recording capabilities, electrical wiring, and long-range surveillance cameras.

The leading manufacturer listed in the customs documents is Wuhan Tongsheng Technology. However, The Insider was unable to verify the existence of this company as a producer of thermal imaging devices and components. The documents either do not specify the brand of the supplied products or, in some cases, they list brands belonging to other companies.

The second-largest declared supplier is the Chinese company NCRIEO, a legitimate major manufacturer with an import turnover of $7 million for its branded goods in 2024. In third place, with $6 million in imported thermal imaging components, is Ningbo Sunny Infrared Technologies, a subsidiary of Sunny Optical Technology. The fourth-largest supplier is Wuhan Guide Sensmart Tech, with $3.6 million in imports.

Compared to the role of Chinese firms, Western manufacturers, including American firm Flir Commercial Systems and German company Optris GmbH, play a relatively minor part in this market. The thermal imaging equipment imported from Flir is used for temperature measurement and industrial furnace inspections, while Optris provides stationary industrial thermal cameras designed to measure surface temperatures via infrared radiation. While these devices are not explicitly military in nature, they are essential for high-tech manufacturing.

Thermal imaging scopes and drone-mounted thermal cameras may have military applications, although they could also be used by foresters and hunters. Notably, the company Lumos, owned by Nikita Shulpin — a well-known supplier of drone components — purchased more than $300,000 worth of thermal imaging equipment. Among the scopes imported in 2024, those from the Longot brand may have non-hunting applications.

It is confirmed that Russian pro-war Telegram channels ran fundraising campaigns to purchase Longot-brand thermal scopes as an alternative to similar models from the iRay brand. Volunteers in Russia have been sourcing hunting-grade thermal scopes for use in the war in Ukraine, as the Russian Ministry of Defense typically does not supply standard military-issued thermal imaging devices. Civilian models are generally more affordable and are readily available on the market.

The procurement of thermal imaging devices is currently handled by little-known firms. The list of Russian importers includes dozens of low-profile companies, many of which lack clear websites or publicly available product catalogs. However, more than half of the thermal imaging imports in 2024 went through just three entities:

• LLC “Luna” (ООО «Луна», TIN 9705214368)
• LLC “Kristall” (ООО «Кристалл», TIN 5027299267)
• LLC “Telecommunication Technologies” (ООО «Телекоммуникационные Технологии», TIN 7733582433)

Previously, according to state procurement data, the largest confirmed government buyers of thermal imaging devices in Russia included:

• The National Guard
• The Ministry of Defense
• The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
• The Federal Protective Service (FSO)
• The Directorate for Construction and Operation of Border Facilities (Rosgranitsa)
• Special Scientific and Production Association “Eleron” — a subsidiary of Rosatom specializing in perimeter security systems
• “Elektropribor” Central Research Institute
• United Engine Corporation “Aviadvigatel”
• Closed Joint-Stock Company “Innovative Weapon Technologies”