ORAO – GLORIOUS PAST, SECURE AND SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

BIJELJINA, NOVEMBER 2 /SRNA/ – Bijeljina-based military industry company “Orao” is proud of its glorious past and 82-year aviation tradition, whose goal is to secure a successful future through modernisation and the development of new aircraft engine maintenance programmes, company director Marko Mrkajić announced.

“We have launched the modernisation of our production facilities, the reconstruction of production halls, investment in new equipment and the development of new aircraft engine maintenance programmes. We have hired new employees and created opportunities for new business ventures,” Mrkajić told SRNA, summarising his first year at the helm of “Orao”.

He emphasised that the company is grateful to the Republika Srpska institutions for supporting its development, as well as to the institutions of the Republic of Serbia, particularly the Ministry of Defence, for trust and cooperation, and to its long-standing strategic partner, the Glotek Company.

“Through the capital increase in our company, Glotek has reaffirmed its commitment to long-term cooperation, secured new projects and created opportunities for further development,” Mrkajić stressed.

According to him, how this cooperation is important is reflected in the fact that Glotek owner Slavomir Vukićević is not only a strategic partner but also the godfather of “Orao”.

“Business contracts connect companies, while godfather relationship connects people,” Mrkajić added.

At the celebration marking 82 years of the company's operations on October 30, the Orao director presented Vukićević with an officer's sabre as a gift, symbolising honour, respect and tradition.

Vukićević then pointed out that the employees of “Orao” – generations of engineers, mechanics and skilled craftsmen – had preserved the most valuable asset, their expertise, through wars, crises and major changes.

“When we decided to become a partner of Republika Srpska in ‘Orao’, we were not investing in buildings and machinery; we were investing in people. An aircraft engine does not trust promises; it trusts only precision, discipline and responsibility, and that is exactly what ‘Orao’ has,” Vukićević stressed.

He said their shared goal was to ensure that “Orao” remained recognised on the international market.

“We are working on new maintenance programmes, new certifications, equipment modernisation and contracts with customers from the Middle East and Asia. We would like young engineers, technicians and aircraft mechanics from Bijeljina and across Republika Srpska to see their future here, rather than abroad,” Vukićević said.

He thanked the Republika Srpska president and government for their trust and support.

“Partnership between the state and a private investor is not always easy, but when it is based on a shared goal, it provides the strongest foundation for development,” Vukićević noted.

He said Glotek - Orao cooperation would be long-term.

“We would like the coming years to be years of growth, new contracts and new jobs,” Vukićević stressed.