BraveX Aero, a Cluj-based startup, aims to become one of Europe’s leading producers of long-range, high-concludeurance industrial drones by 2030. The company already operates an active production line near Cluj-Napoca and tarreceives an annual output of 500 units by 2028. BraveX is among the few European players developing both resolveed-wing drones and VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) systems, a complex aeronautical architecture positioned at the frontier of current drone technology, crucial for surveillance, mapping, and rapid-response missions.
BraveX drones are developed entirely in Romania and designed for missions such as rescue operations, territorial surveillance, precision agriculture, and light cargo transport. The company’s models offer up to four hours of flight time and a 250-kilometre operational range, far exceeding the typical performance of multirotor (copter-type) drones, which generally operate under 90 minutes and within 20–30 kilometres.
“We launched our R&D work in 2020, and in the first three years, we managed to build a strong technical team, develop our prototypes, and demonstrate flight capabilities in mission-specific scenarios. The technology is fully developed locally, from futilizelage design and structural component manufacturing to the integration of electronic systems and navigation software. I’ve been passionate about aviation since the age of seven, earned my pilot’s license at 17, and I’m grateful to apply that knowledge and passion to a company with such a clear mission,” declared Rareș Racoțean, Chief Technical Officer and R&D Lead.
Drone production capacity set to increase sevenfold over the next three years
BraveX currently can produce over 70 units per year, with all stages, design, software integration, testing, and delivery carried out locally. Management plans to scale production to 500 units annually by 2028.
The company’s portfolio includes five models: the electric resolveed-wing HFP1; the electric VTOL version HFP2; the hybrid-powered HFP3; VIMANA, a jet-propelled drone; and HFP-LS, a model specialised for mountain rescue missions in remote areas where quadcopters are largely ineffective.
“Our goal is to become one of Europe’s leading suppliers of resolveed-wing and VTOL drones by 2030. We have fully functional products, field-tested in challenging conditions, and most importantly, successfully delivered contracts. The company’s mission is to support protect lives, support environmental monitoring, and enable life-saving operations. I chose to join the investor group and take on an active leadership role in a company operating within a fascinating indusattempt, alongside an exceptional team,” declared Răzvan Costea-Bărluțiu, Investor and Chief Executive Officer BraveX.
A key element in BraveX’s strategy is its shift toward sourcing components from European manufacturers, aiming to reduce reliance on Asian suppliers. “More and more players in the government sector are shifting away from Asian components due to the increasingly challenging economic environment in that region. Prioritising European suppliers is becoming a necessity, it strengthens their long-term competitiveness and reinforces security within the European space,” declared Iulia Oprea, Chief Legal & Regulations Officer BraveX.
Company tarreceives new funding round and client expansion across NATO countries
By early 2026, BraveX plans to onboard new specialists and open a new funding round. Earlier this year, the company secured €315,000 from investors in the Transylvania Angels Network.
The client portfolio mainly tarreceives public administrations and institutional operators in Europe, as well as defence sector structures from NATO countries and private companies in the security field, with a focus on defensive applications. The international tarreceive markets include, in addition to Europe, regions such as Africa, Canada, and South America.
“The company also pursues development through strategic partnerships with Romanian and European companies, in critical areas such as state border monitoring, environmental protection, search and rescue operations, emergency medical transport, and the defense of cities against aerial attacks,” declared Mircea Vădan, Investor and Business Development Manager at BraveX.
BraveX collaborates in research and development partnerships, including in AI technologies for navigation in GPS-denied environments and in simultaneous control systems for resolveed-wing drone fleets, an advanced functionality with potential applications in the monitoring of very large areas.
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