---
title: "Brave1 and Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Test Reconnaissance UAVs from Nine Manufacturers to Replace Mavic"
description: "Brave1, together with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, has tested reconnaissance UAVs from nine domestic manufacturers to replace the Mavic. The drones that passed the tests are already preparing for contracting with the military."
date: 2026-11-13T10:10:42.896Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/brave1-ukrainian-defense-ministry-test-drones-to-replace-mavic
tags: [drone, ukraine, brave1, mavic-replacement, reconnaissance-uav, defense-procurement, electronic-warfare]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Brave1 and Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Test Reconnaissance UAVs from Nine Manufacturers to Replace Mavic

![A quadcopter with a camera in flight under an overcast sky during testing](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/13/brave1-minoborony-ukrainy-ispytali-drony-na-zamenu-mavic/brave1-minoborony-ukrainy-ispytali-drony-na-zamenu-mavic-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Brave1 and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense tested reconnaissance UAVs from nine Ukrainian manufacturers
- The tests checked resistance to EW, video connection quality, and flight duration
- Manufacturers whose drones passed the tests are moving to contracting with the Ministry of Defense
- Brave1 deliberately abandoned the idea of copying the Mavic, focusing on a functional alternative
- In 2026, the Defense Procurement Agency contracted 300% more UAVs than the previous year

Brave1, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, has completed a cycle of tests for reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles presented by nine Ukrainian manufacturers. This was reported by the Brave1 press service, as cited by RBC-Ukraine. The tests became part of systematic work to create a functional replacement for Mavic drones, which for several years have remained one of the key tools for tactical reconnaissance within the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

### Testing for Compliance with Combat Missions

The purpose of the tests was to check how well the drones' onboard characteristics meet the real needs of the troops and the conditions of the modern battlefield. During the tests, specialists evaluated the drones' resistance to electronic warfare (EW) jamming, the quality of video communication and data transmission, flight duration, and a number of other parameters critical for frontline operations. Following the tests, manufacturers whose devices confirmed their combat readiness have already moved on to the contracting stage with the Ministry of Defense for subsequent delivery to military units.

### Why Mavic No Longer Meets Needs

As noted by Brave1, the Mavic has become one of the key tactical-level reconnaissance tools, but the war is placing ever-increasing demands on UAVs. The expansion of the so-called "kill zone" — the area where the enemy is capable of hitting a drone — forces the military to use devices capable of staying in the air longer, operating at greater distances, and maintaining efficiency under conditions of active EW deployment. According to the company, civilian drones are increasingly failing to meet these heightened requirements, making the transition to specialized solutions necessary.

### From a Copy to a Functional Alternative

"We deliberately moved away from the idea of creating a simple copy of the Mavic. At the same time, we are focusing on a functional alternative — drones adapted to the conditions of the modern battlefield and the specific tasks of the Defense Forces," Brave1 stated. Thus, the company and the Ministry of Defense are not striving to reproduce a specific model, but rather are developing a class of drones that covers the same functional tasks, but with allowance for changed combat conditions and technological limitations.

### Context: Sharp Increase in UAV Procurement in 2026

The testing of nine manufacturers fits into the broader context of a large-scale expansion of the drone fleet. It was previously reported that in 2026, the Defense Procurement Agency under the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense contracted 300% more UAVs than in the previous year. At the same time, analysts point out that scaling the production of jet interceptors complicates the technological component and increases the cost of components, particularly engines, which Ukraine largely purchases abroad. Under these conditions, domestic production of reconnaissance drones independent of imported propulsion systems acquires strategic significance.

Thus, the completed testing cycle has become the next stage in the transition from improvised civilian solutions to serial military drones designed for specific frontline reconnaissance tasks and resistant to enemy counteraction.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [В Украине испытали дроны на замену Mavic: первые детали](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayini-viprobuvali-droni-zaminu-mavic-pershi-1794564050.html) - Primary source: Brave1 press service via RBC-Ukraine. All factual statements (9 manufacturers, test parameters, quote, procurement context) are taken from this material.

## FAQ

### How many manufacturers took part in the tests?

Nine Ukrainian manufacturers took part in the reconnaissance UAV tests conducted by Brave1 in cooperation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

### What parameters were checked during the tests?

Specialists evaluated the drones' resistance to EW jamming, video communication and data transmission quality, flight duration, and other characteristics important for frontline work.

### What will happen to the drones that passed the tests?

Manufacturers whose UAVs confirmed combat readiness are already moving to contracting with the Ministry of Defense for subsequent delivery to military units.

### Why is Mavic no longer suitable for reconnaissance tasks?

According to Brave1, the expansion of the kill zone requires UAVs that can stay in the air longer, operate at greater distances, and remain effective under active EW conditions. Civilian drones increasingly fail to meet these requirements.