BraveX.Aero Expands Drone Production in Romania
Cluj-Napoca's company BraveX eyes increased production of industrial drones to claim dominance in the European market.
BraveX.Aero, a Cluj-Napoca-based deep-tech startup, is significantly increasing its drone production capacity. Currently producing over 70 industrial drones per year, the company aims to boost this output sevenfold to 500 units annually by 2028 as part of its strategy to become a leading European manufacturer by 2030.
Capabilities and Advantages
BraveX drones offer long-range and endurance, with up to four hours of flight time and a range of 250 kilometers. This makes them suitable for critical applications like mountain rescue, border surveillance, and precision agriculture. The drones can carry payloads of 5–7 kg, including cameras, sensors, and LIDAR, enhancing their utility for mapping and surveillance tasks. They feature autonomous flight capabilities with real-time telemetry, allowing efficient and remote operation.
European Market Competition
BraveX competes in the European industrial drone market by focusing on high-endurance fixed-wing drones and VTOL systems, which are less common in European production. Their decision to develop all technology in-house in Romania reduces reliance on Asian suppliers, aligning with European initiatives to bolster local manufacturing and security.
Partnerships and R&D Collaborations
Given the company's focus on integrating with European suppliers and its goal to reduce reliance on Asian components, BraveX is likely to engage in partnerships that support European manufacturing and security interests. While specific partnerships are not detailed, the emphasis on European suppliers suggests a strategic alignment with regional companies and governmental bodies. BraveX is involved in R&D collaborations, particularly in projects related to AI-based navigation in GPS-denied areas and fleet control systems for fixed-wing drones.
Future Plans
The company is preparing for a new financing round to onboard additional specialists by early 2026, which will support its expansion into NATO-aligned defense markets and further enhance its position in the European market. Raźvan Costea-Bărălutiu serves as the Investor and CEO, Mircea Vădan as the Investor and Business Development Manager, and Iulia Oprea as the Chief Legal & Regulations Officer.
BraveX drones are designed for critical applications such as mountain rescue, border surveillance, precision agriculture, and light cargo transport. Their clients include public institutions, defense sectors of NATO member states, private security companies, and international markets extend to Africa, Canada, and South America. The company recently secured EUR 315,000 in funding from the Transylvania Angels Network.
The company's product line includes five drone models: the electric fixed-wing HFP1, the electric VTOL HFP2, the hybrid-powered HFP3, the jet-propelled VIMANA, and the HFP-LS specialized for mountain rescue. BraveX designs and manufactures all its technology in Romania, including fuselage, structural components, electronic systems, and navigation software. This shift strengthens long-term competitiveness and reinforces security within the European space.
In light of the challenging economic environment in Asia, prioritizing European suppliers has become a necessity, as stated by Iulia Oprea, Chief Legal & Regulations Officer at BraveX. The company has successfully delivered contracts for its field-tested drone products.
In light of the company's strategic focus on European suppliers and its goal to reduce reliance on Asian components, it is likely that BraveX will engage in partnerships that support local manufacturing and security interests, aligning with regional companies and governmental bodies for future investments in the business of technology. BraveX is planning to enter the NATO-aligned defense markets and expand its product line with five drone models, including fixed-wing, VTOL, and hybrid-powered drones, as part of its broader strategy to invest in technology and finance for strengthening its competitive position in the finance and industry sectors, especially in Europe.
