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Ordnance Factories Board
Type Government
Industry Defence
Founded 1775[1]
Headquarters Ayudh Bhawan, Kolkata
Area served Worldwide
Key people

A. K. Antony (Defence Minister of India)

H. S. Chaudhury (Director General Ordnance Factories & Chairman, OFB)
Products Small arms, Aircraft & Naval weapons, Anti-tank warfare, Anti-aircraft warfare, Anti-ship warfare, Anti-submarine warfare, Grenade launchers, Rocket launchers, Shell launchers, Missile launchers, Rockets, Bombs, Grenades, Military vehicles, Engines, Armoured vehicles, Chemical warfare, Optoelectronics, Cables, Parachutes, Mines, Demolition charges, Pyrotechnic stores, Fire control systems, Bridges, Assault boats, Clothing, Leather Items, Mortars, Artillery, Ammunition, Propellants, Explosives, Fuzes.
Revenue INR144.657675 billion (US$2.3 billion)(2011-2012)[2][3]
Employees ~164,000[4]
Website ofb.gov.in

Ordnance Factories Board (OFB), consisting of the Indian Ordnance Factories (Hindi: भारतीय आयुध निर्माणियाँ), is an industrial setup functioning under the Department of Defence Production of Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It is engaged in production, testing, logistics, research, development and marketing of a comprehensive product range in the areas of land, air and sea systems. Headquartered at Ayudh Bhawan, Kolkata, it consists of forty-one Factories, nine Training Institutes, three Regional Marketing Centres and four Regional Controllerates of Safety.

OFB is the world's largest government operated production organisation[5] and the oldest industrial setup run by the Government of India.[6][7] It has a total workforce of about 164,000.[4] It is often called the "Fourth Arm of Defence"[8][9][10] and the "Force Behind the Armed Forces" of India.[11][12] It is also amongst the top 100 arms manufacturers in the world and was ranked at 48 in the list released by disarmament watchdog SIPRI for 2011, down from 45 in 2010. Its total sales were at $2.655 billion, with arms sales bringing in about 80 percent of its revenue.[2][13] Every year, 18 March is celebrated as the Ordnance Factories' Day in India.[14]

History[]

Beginning

The history and development of Indian ordnance factories is directly linked with the British reign in India. The East India Company considered military hardware to be a vital element for securing their economic interest in India and increasing their political power. In 1775 British authorities accepted the establishment of the Board of Ordnance at Fort William, Calcutta. This marks the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India.

In 1787 a gunpowder factory was established at Ichapore; it began production in 1791, and the site was later used as a rifle factory beginning in 1904. In 1801, Gun Carriage Agency (now known as Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore) was established at Cossipore, Calcutta, and production began on 18 March 1802. This is the oldest ordnance factory in India still in existence.[15]

File:Ordnance Factories Voard (OFB)'s stamp.jpg

Stamp issued by Department of Posts, India on the bicentenary anniversary of the Indian Ordnance Factories

Growth

The growth of the Ordnance Factories Board leading to its present setup has been continuous but sporadic. There were eighteen ordnance factories before India became independent in 1947 and twenty-three factories have been established after independence, mostly in the wake of defence preparedness imperatives brought about by the three major wars fought by the Indian Armed forces.

Main Events
  • 1801 - Establishment of Gun Carriage Agency at Cossipore, Kolkata.
  • 1802 - Production begins at Cossipore on 18 March.
  • 1906 - The Administration of Indian Ordnance Factories comes under a separate charge as "IG of Ordnance Factories".
  • 1933 - Charged to "Director of Ordnance Factories".
  • 1948 - Placed under direct control of Ministry of Defence.
  • 1962 - Department of Defence Production was set up at Ministry of Defence.
  • 1979 - Ordnance Factories Board is established on 2 April.

Infrastructure and leadership[]

Ayudh Bhawan - Auckland Road - Kolkata 2013-04-08 6051

The Ayudh Bhawan, Kolkata.

Headquarters[]

  • Armoured Vehicle Head Quarters (AVHQ)
  • Ordnance Equipment Factories Head Quarters (OEFHQ)
  • Ordnance Factory Board, New Delhi Office (OFBDEL)
  • Ordnance Factory Board Kolkata (OFBHQ)
  • Ordnance Factory Board, Mumbai Office (OFBMUM)
  • Ordnance Factories Recruitment Board (OFRB)

Apex Board[]

The Apex Board is headed by the Director General of Ordnance Factories (DGOF), who acts as the Chairman of the Board (equivalent to Secretary, Government of India) and consists of nine other members, who each hold the rank of Additional DGOF. Ordnance Factories are divided into 5 operating divisions, depending upon the type of the main products/technologies employed. These are :

  • Ammunition and Explosives (A&E)
  • Weapons, Vehicles & Equipment (WV&E)
  • Materials and Components (M&C)
  • Armoured Vehicle (AV)
  • Ordnance Equipment Group of Factories (OEF)

Each of the above group of factories is headed by a Member/Additional DGOF. The four remaining Members are responsible for staff functions, viz Personnel (Per), Finance (Fin), Planning & Material Management (P&MM), Technical Services (TS) and they operate from Kolkata.

Ordnance Factories[]

Each factory is headed by a General Manager (equivalent to Additional Secretary, Government of India). The factories, mostly situated in remote areas, stretch from hundreds to a few thousand acres of land[16][17][18][19] and are all essentially self-sufficient townships having their own residential bungalows, quarters, schools, hospitals, water pump houses, treatment plants and storage tanks, electrical sub-stations, post offices, telephone exchanges, banks, ATMs, transport facilities, general stores, shopping complexes, grocery shops, utility shops, canteens, places of worship, family welfare centres, inspection bungalows, guest houses, community halls, mess, clubs, parks, sports and recreational facilities.[20][21][22]

OFB provides twenty-five factory hospitals, thirty-nine factory health clinics, sixty-eight estate health clinics and seventeen family welfare centres. With most of the factories located in areas away from city and town centres, the education of the children of their employees has been a major problem. To address this, the Board today runs twenty-four schools, including eleven high schools, six higher secondary schools, and the rest are primary schools, and thirty-four Kendriya Vidyalayas (Central Schools). Sporting infrastructure is maintained by the Sports Control Board, which also organises sporting events and tournaments.

Training Institutes[]

  • National Academy of Defence Production, Nagpur
  • Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Ambajhari (OFILAJ)
  • Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Ambernath (OFILAM)
  • Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Avadi (OFILAV)
  • Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Dehradun (OFILDD)
  • Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Ishapore (OFILIS)
  • Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Khamaria (OFILKH)
  • Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Kanpur (OFILKN)
  • Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Medak (OFILMK)

Each institute is headed by a Principal Director. NADP provides training to Group "A" officers whilst the other eight institutes impart training to Group "B" & Group "C" officers of the ordnance factories. Each institute has its own teaching complex housing the library, lecture halls, labs, hostels, mess, sports and recreational facilities. These institutes provide training to the employees on the topics of engineering, management, production, human relations, computer skills, organisational behaviour, CNC operation, personal and environmental safety, provide knowledge of Government rules and regulations as short term, induction, refresher and re-orientation courses.

Regional Marketing Centres[]

  • Regional Marketing Centre Avadi (RMCAV)
  • Regional Marketing Centre Delhi (RMCDL)
  • Regional Marketing Centre Pune (RMCPU)

Each regional marketing centre is headed by a Regional Director.

Regional Controllerates of Safety[]

  • Regional Controllerate of Safety Ambajhari (RCSAJ)
  • Regional Controllerate of Safety Avadi (RCSAV)
  • Regional Controllerate of Safety Kanpur (RCSKN)
  • Regional Controllerate of Safety Pune (RCSPU)

Each regional controllerate of safety is headed by a Regional Controller of Safety.

Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS)[]

IOFS is a multi-disciplinary composite cadre consisting of technical - Engineers (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics), Technologists (Chemical, Metallurgical, Textile, Leather) and non technical (Science, Law, Commerce, Management and Arts streams). Technical posts comprise about 87% of the total cadre. IOFS officers are group "A" Defence civilian officers under the Ministry of Defence. They are responsible for the management of ordnance factories, which provide the sinews of self-reliant, indigenous, defence production capabilities of the nation.

Recruitment

The recruitment in the Ordnance Factories as a Group "A" officer is done by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) based on the performance in the rigorous and prestigious Engineering Services Examination (ESE) and the Civil Services Examination (CSE).[23] Engineering posts are filled through the Engineering Services Examination and technologists are selected through interview by UPSC. Posts in the non technical streams are filled through the Civil Services Examination held by UPSC. All appointments to the IOFS are made by the President of India.

Hierarchy (Group "A")
Grade Designation in the field Designation in Headquarters
Junior Time Scale Assistant Works Manager Assistant Director
Senior Time Scale Works Manager Deputy Director
Senior Time Scale (Non Functional) Deputy General Manager Joint Director
Junior Administrative Grade (Functional) Joint General Manager Director
Senior Administrative Grade Addl. GM / General Manager Deputy Director General
Higher Administrative Grade Senior General Manager Senior Deputy Director General
Higher Administrative Grade (+) Nil Addl. Director General & Member of the Board
Apex Scale Nil DGOF & Chairman of the Board [24]

Products[]

The type of ordnance material produced is very diverse, ranging from various small arms to rockets, bombs, grenades, military vehicles, armoured vehicles, chemicals, optical devices, parachutes, mortars, artillery pieces plus all associated ammunition, propellants, explosives and fuzes.[25]

Products available to civilians[]

Civilians are required to hold Arms License (issued only for non-prohibited bore category weapons) in order to buy firearms in India. The following products of the Indian Ordnance Factories Board are available for civilians:

Arms[]

Ammunition[]

  • Cartridge Rimfire .22" Ball
  • Cartridge SA .32" Revolver
  • Cartridge SA .315" and 30 06 Ball
  • Cartridge SA 12 Bore 70mm
  • Cartridge SA 12 Bore 65mm Special

Products not available to civilians[]

These products are exclusively manufactured for use by the armed forces and are not sold to the civilians.

MSMC - Modern Sub Machine Carbine

Modern Sub Machine Carbine (MSMC)

Sterling SMG

Sub-Machine Gun Carbine 9 mm 1A1

US Navy 090501-N-7478G-227 A member of the Indian Navy simulates a hostage scenario aboard the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) while conducting a visit, board, search, and seizure drill

Indian sailor simulating a hostage scenario, 2009.

INSAS Black

INSAS Rifle with newly adapted black furniture

File:Kalantak Micro Assault Rifle 5.56mm.jpg

Kalantak Micro Assault Rifle 5.56mm

INSAS rifle (Browngirl06)

INSAS Assault Rifle

INSAS LMG

INSAS Light Machine Gun

Carl Gustav recoilless rifle

84 mm RCL gun MK II

Pinaka MBRL

Pinaka rockets manufactured by OFAJ

BM-30 Smerch MLRS

Smerch rockets to be produced at OFAJ

.
IA Artillery

Indian Army's artillery gun

File:VFJ Matang Truck.jpg

Matang was completely developed and manufactured by VFJ

File:Stallion Indian Army.jpg

Stallion manufactured by VFJ

NissanPatrol

Jonga was manufactured by VFJ until 1999

File:VFJ Shaktiman Tipper.jpg

Tipper variant of Shaktiman truck completely developed by VFJ

File:Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ)'s LPTA.jpg

VFJ LPTA 713

T-90 engine

Bhishma's engine at Engine Factory Avadi

AB133 - Vijayanta MBT

Vijayanta MBT was India's first indigenous tank built by HVF

T-72 Ajeya

Ajeya of the Indian Army built by HVF

Arjun MBT bump track test 2

Arjun MBT manufactured by HVF Avadi

Indian Army T-90

Bhishma of the Indian Army built at HVF Avadi

Yudh Abhyas-09 BMP

Sarath built at Ordnance Factory Medak

Nag with NAMICA Defexpo-2008

Namica (NAg MIssile CArrier) with NAG Anti Tank Guided Missile

Akash SAM

Akash Missile Launcher on Sarath platform

File:Akash SAM on T-72.jpg

Akash Missile launcher based on Ajeya's chassis.

IA Dhruv Berlin-08

Indian Army Dhruv's armament

Mi-35 Hind Akbar

IAF Hind Akbar's armament such as Gsh-30k gun and loadable bombs

File:Dassault Mirage 2000 2.jpg

Mirage 2000's armaments and parachutes

SU-30MKI-g4sp - edit 2(clipped)

IAF Su-30MKI's armaments, parachutes for pilot's seat and aircraft brake

File:LCA Tejas.jpg

Tejas uses armaments such as 23 mm Ghasha Aviation Gun

Shivalik Maiden Sortie

INS Shivalik's weaponry

INS Delhi-1

INS Delhi's armaments

INS Mysore D60 India

INS Mysore's armaments such as AK-630 guns

Weapons (small calibre)[]

Weapons (medium calibre)[]

Weapons (large calibre)[]

  • 84mm RCL gun MK II
  • 84 mm RCL gun MK III
  • Equipment 106 mm RCL gun
  • Equipment 105 mm IFG E1 ad 105 mm LFG E2
  • Metamorphosis 155 mm gun
  • Kavach launcher
  • 84 mm TPT 65
  • 84 mm HE 441B
  • 84 mm HEAT 651
  • 84 mm illuminating 545
  • Cartridge 105 mm IFG normal charge
  • Cartridge 105 mm IFG super charge
  • Shell 105 mm IFG HE
  • Shell 105 mm IFG HESH
  • Shell 105 mm IFG ILLG
  • Shell 105 mm IFG BE SMOKE
  • Cartridge QF 76.2 mm practice and HE
  • Cartridge 76.2 mm PFHE
  • Cartridge 76/62 MM practice AA flash
  • Cartridge QF 105 mm SH practice
  • Cartridge 105 mm FSAPDS/T
  • Cartridge 105 mm tank HESH
  • Cartridge QF 105 MM APDS/T
  • Cartridge QF 105 MM DS/T practice
  • ROUND 106 mm RCL HEAT
  • Shell 73 mm HE
  • Shell 73mm HEAT
  • Main battle tank ammunition 120 mm HESH
  • Main battle tank ammunition 120 MM FSAPDS
  • Shell 125 mm HE
  • Shell 125 mm HEAT
  • Cartridge 125 mm FSAPDS
  • Shell 130 mm HE
  • Cartridge FVC RVC FOR 130 mm HE
  • 155 mm shell HE 107
  • 155 mm shell HE M 77B
  • 155 mm shell HEER
  • 155 mm shell smoke ER 24KM
  • Shell 155 mm illuminating MIRA
  • Shell 155 mm HE
  • Shell 155 MM illuminating ERFB
  • Shell 155 MM screening smoke BE M2A2
  • 155 mm HE ERFB BB
  • 155 mm HE ERFB BT
  • Cartridge 125 MM FSAPDS T MK1
  • 155 mm HE-ER base bleed projectile

Mortar Equipment[]

  • Equipment 51 mm Mortar
  • Equipment 81 mm Mortar
  • Equipment 120 mm Mortar
  • Equipment 81 mm Long Range Mortar
  • Bomb M.L. 2" Mortar HE
  • Bomb ML Smoke 2" Mortar
  • Bomb ML Mortar 2" ILLG
  • Bomb ML 2" Mortar Signal Single Star
  • Mortar Bomb 51 mm HE
  • Mortar Bomb 51 mm Smoke 1A
  • Mortar Bomb 51 mm ILLG 1A
  • Mortar Bomb 51 mm ILLG Red Green
  • Bomb 81 mm Mortar HE
  • Bomb 81 mm Mortar Smoke PWP
  • Bomb 81 mm Mortar Illuminating 2A
  • Bomb Mortar 120 mm HE
  • Bomb Mortar 120 mm Smoke PWP
  • Bomb Mortar 120 mm ILLG IA
  • 81 mm Mortar Training device
  • 120 mm Mortar Training device

Grenades, signalling smoke, other stores[]

  • Cartridge Signal 16mm Red Green White
  • Cartridge Signal 1" Red Green Illg.
  • Cartridge Signal 1.5" Green Red Yellow
  • Grenade 36 M Hand And Tube Launching
  • 81mm Smoke Grenade 3D6 For T-72
  • Candle Smoke Ground Mk 300,000
  • Training Smoke Generator
  • Generator Smoke No.5
  • Grenade Handsmoke Red Green
  • Marker Smoke White
  • Generator Smoke Orange 3a
  • CSES Grenade Red Green Yellow
  • Flare Ground Indicating No. Mk-1 Yellow
  • Port Fire Friction
  • Signal Distress Day And Night
  • Cartridge Seat Ejection Pk 3m 1
  • Cartridge R-4 Pyro Cutter
  • Flare Trip Wire Mk-1
  • Signal Fuze
  • Signal Fog
  • Hand Flare Red Mk- II
  • Para Flare Red
  • Buoyant Smoke Orange
  • Thunder Flash Mk - 4
  • Multi Mode Hand Grenade

Rockets and bombs[]

  • Rocket 68 mm HE
  • Rocket 68 mm HC
  • Pinaka Rockets
  • Smerch Rockets[26]
  • Rocket 68 mm Practice
  • Bomb HE 1000 lbs
  • Bomb Practice 25 lbs No. 1 MK-1
  • Bomb 3 kg Practice
  • Bomb 250 kg HSLD Bomb
  • Bomb 450 kg HSLD Bomb
  • Aerial Bomb 100 -120 KG
  • Aerial Bomb 100 -120 KG Inert

Fuzes[]

  • Fuze FZ 104
  • Fuze 213 MK5 (M-1) & (M-2) and (M-3) & (M-4)
  • Fuze L 29 A2/A3
  • Fuze Percussion DA NO.117
  • Fuze for rocket 122 mm HE
  • Proximity Fuze 76.2
  • Fuze DA- 5A
  • Fuze 162 MK-8 and Fuze 162 MK - 9
  • Fuze 161 MK 3 M-1
  • Fuze PD M 572 FOR 155 mm

Demolition[]

  • Charge Demolition No.2, 25 lbs
  • Charge Demolition No.11, 30 lbs
  • Charge Demolition No.14, 11 lbs
  • Charge Demolition No.1 Beehive
  • Mine Anti-Tank 4D ND (Bar)
  • Switch No.4 Pull MK 1
  • Switch No.5 Pressure MK 1
  • Switch No.6 Release MK 1
  • Maindeka Advanced Limpet Mine[27]

Military vehicles[]

  • 5/7.5 Ton Stallion Mk-III BS-II
  • 2.5 Ton LPTA 713/32 TC BS-II
  • Water Bowser 2 KL on LPTA
  • Water Bowser 5 KL on Stallion
  • Kitchen Container on Stallion
  • Field Ambulance on Stallion
  • Light Recovery Vehicle (LRV)
  • Field Artillery Tractor (FAT)
  • 5 KL Fuel Tanker on Stallion
  • 2 KL Fuel Tanker on LPTA
  • Battery Command Post (BCP)
  • Mobile AC Generators
  • Operation Theatre on wheels
  • Mobile Decontamination Unit
  • Tipper on Stallion
  • Tipper on LPTA
  • Matang
  • Shaktiman
  • Jonga
  • Trishul
  • Caravan
  • Drill Rig
  • Humsafar Buses (Long & Medium)
  • Vaahan 1 Ton
  • Fire fighting variants of Stallion and LPTA
  • Bullet-proofing of Gypsy, 407, Ambassador, Prado
  • Yuktirath - Mine Protected Vehicle

Armoured vehicles[]

Optical devices[]

  • Compass prismatic liquid MK-3A
  • Sight unit cased 102 B
  • Passive night vision goggles 102A
  • Bino night vision passive cased 101A
  • Passive night vision binocular light Wt
  • Passive night vision monocular
  • Passive night sight for rifle and LMG
  • Passive night sight for 84 mm RCLII
  • Periscope battery command bino 20 X 70
  • Telescopic sight for 5.56 mm rifle
  • Telescope sight for 5.56 mm LMG
  • Telescopic sight 6X for sniper rifle
  • Telescopic sight (M-1) for 84 mm RCL
  • Passive night sight for AK-47
  • Optical sight for AGS-30
  • Telescopic sight foR 14.5 20 mm AMR
  • Driver's passive night periscope for T-55
  • Binocular 8 X 30
  • HR binocular
  • Telescopic sight 84 mm RCL III
  • Sight dial 104A with mount
  • SIGHT 51 MM MORTAR 102A
  • Range finder cased 13 E
  • Collimator infinity aiming reference 102A
  • Collimator K-1
  • Periscopic aiming circle (PAB-2M)
  • Sight bore muzzle AFV-125 MM cased
  • Laser range finder TPD-K1 for T-72
  • Commander's sight passive for T-72 BMP-II
  • Driver's sight passive for tank T-72
  • Driver's sight passive for BMP-II
  • Driver's sight passive for T-90 S
  • Gunner's sight passive for T-72
  • Gunner's sight passive for BMP-II
  • Gunner's sight IG46 for T-90 S
  • Commander's sight TKN -4S for T-90 S
  • Thermal sight TI -ESSA for T-90 S
  • Commander's thermal sight TI for T72
  • Anti aircraft sight IP3 3 for BMP-II
  • Missile sight 9sh 119M1 for BMP-II
  • Laser aiming aid Insa Lakshya for rifle
  • Red dot sight

Parachutes[]

  • Brake Parachutes for MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29, Mirage 2000, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI
  • Parachute Paratroop type PTR-M
  • Parachute Tactical assault type PTA-M
  • Parachute Tactical assault type PTA-R
  • Parasail
  • Ram Air 9 cell free fall parachute
  • Parachute system for Mortar bomb 81 mm Illuminating and other ammunition
  • Pilot Parachute Seat MK-10
  • High Altitude Parachute
  • Pilot Parachute BMK-41
  • Heavy drop system P-7
  • Cargo aerial delivery parachute 8.5 M

Support equipment[]

  • Inflatable boat Prashant 465 Mk-2
  • Boat recce 3 Men - 2A
  • Float for KM bridge
  • Bridge assault floating (Kruppman)
  • Manually launched assault bridge MLAB MLC-60
  • Cables
  • Fibre Optic Cable
  • Co-axial Cable

Troop comfort and general stores[]

  • Tent Arctic medium MK 2
  • Tent Arctic large MK-2
  • Parachute paratroop type PTR-R
  • Tent 80 kg MK-3
  • Tent 20 kg inner and outer
  • Tent PVT MK3
  • Tent store
  • Tent extendable frame supported 4M
  • Tent Arctic Small Mk 2
  • Tank fabric collapsible MK-1
  • Cover waterproof
  • Steel jerricans capacity 20 litres
  • Heater space (coal/oil burning)
  • Chagul universal MK-II
  • Boot ankle direct vulcanised sole
  • High ankle boot DVS
  • Boot antimine MK-1
  • Dual density rubber combat boot
  • High ankle boot for paratroopers
  • Suit terry wool (jacket & trousers)
  • Overall combination disruptive
  • Overall combination OG
  • Coat combat disruptive
  • Jacket & trouser combat disruptive
  • Overall combination
  • Overall flying MK-II
  • Overall winter
  • Coat and trousers parka
  • Coat feather & pant feather
  • Jersey woollen OG V-neck
  • Shirt Angola drab & trouser serge
  • Gents and ladies jacket
  • Gloves leather white lined
  • Sleeping bag MK-4
  • Lightweight web equipment
  • ICK synthetic belt waist OG
  • Infantry combat kit haversack
  • Infantry combat kit pack with frame
  • Infantry combat kit pouches ammunition
  • Web Equipment G.I. Pattern
  • Jacket ECC & trouser ECC
  • Coat E.C.C
  • Suit Yeti
  • Bulletproof jacket
  • Capes waterproof khaki with hood
  • Multiple element net assembly
  • Vest and jersey woollen OG
  • Blanket
  • Socks woollen Lycra
  • NBC suit permeable
  • NBC casualty bag full
  • NBC casualty bag half
  • NBC Facelet
  • NBC Haversack
  • Trouser and shirt polyester and viscose OG
  • Gaiters glacier
  • Fuel efficient Ayudh Bukhari
  • Bag kit disruptive waterproof with stroler

Material components and SPM's[]

  • Material (non ferrous & heavy alloys)
  • Material (ferrous)
  • Components (non ferrous & heavy alloys)
  • Components (ferrous)
  • Case gauging machine
  • Case gauging and sorting machine
  • Cartridge gauging weighing sorting machine
  • Cup gauging and sorting machine
  • Magazine loading machine
  • Bullet gauging weighing sorting machine
  • Case loading assembling gauging weighing machine
  • Winding machine

Chemicals[]

  • IPN (isopropyl nitrate)
  • Nitrocellulose (NC)
  • Industrial NC Ethanol Wet and Butanol Wet
  • Blasting Soluble NC (BSNC)
  • NC Pyro
  • NC Type 'A' & Type 'H'
  • Nitroguanidine (Picrite)
  • Styphnic Acid

Explosives[]

  • Cord Detonating ‘A’
  • PEK-1 (Plastic Explosives)
  • TNT slab 500 g MK-2 A/L with integral CE primer
  • TNT (trinitrotoluene)
  • Dinitrotoluene (DNT)
  • Hexanitrostilbene (HNS)
  • RDX/TNT – 60 : 40
  • RDX/WAX 88 :12
  • Tetryl/graphited tetryl (composition exploding)
  • Demolition Explosive

Propellants[]

  • Nitrocellulose propellant for cartridges
  • Propellants for sporting
  • Ball powder propellant for 7.62 mm & 5.56 mm cartridges
  • NC-NG based rocket propellants
  • NC & NG Double base Ballistite propellants

Customers[]

Armed Forces

The prime customers of Indian Ordnance Factories are the Indian Armed Forces viz. Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Indian Air Force.[28][29] Apart from supplying armaments to the Armed Forces, Ordnance Factories also meet the requirements of other customers viz. the Central Armed Police Forces, State Armed Police Forces, Paramilitary Forces of India and the Special Forces of India in respect of arms, ammunition, clothing, bullet proof vehicles, mine protected vehicles etc.[30][31]

Civil Trade

Customers in the civil sector - central / state government organisation and departments such as Indian Railways, Indian Space Research Organisation, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Aeronautical Development Agency, Department of Telecommunications, various State Electricity Boards.[32][33][34][35] PSUs such as HMT Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited,[36] private companies and individuals etc. who purchase industrial chemicals, explosives, arms, ammunition, brass ingots, aluminium alloy products for aircraft, steel castings and forgings, vehicles, clothing and leather goods, cables and opto-electronic instruments.[37]

Exports

Arms and Ammunition, Weapon Spares, Chemicals & Explosives, Parachutes, Leather and Clothing items are being exported to more than 30 countries world-wide.

  • Europe - Germany, Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Sweden, France, Switzerland, UK.
  • Middle East - Oman, Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE.
  • Africa - Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria.

Criticism[]

Despite of highly skilled manpower, latest technologies and huge investments, the Ordnance Factories and their management have often been criticised for their inefficiency,[41] delay in supplies,[42][43][44] obsolete and substandard products of much higher costs than those manufactured by their foreign competitors,[45] corruption at all levels including top management[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] and a small volume of exports. The ministerial and bureaucratic hassles, lack of decision making and accountability of the people concerned are often blamed. To counter the above, talks were held in the past to privatise the Ordnance Factories[55][56] after witnessing the turnaround of other Indian companies which were converted into PSUs, but the Ministry of Defence has always ruled out such a possibility[57][58] since the Ordnance Factories are the backbone of the Indian Armed Forces[59][60] and should be controlled solely by the Government of India. Efforts are now being made by the Ordnance Factories to run the factories at their full capacities, employ and train skilled manpower, efficient usage of the available resources, update and induct new products, provide more sophisticated products, increase and diversify product categories, supply them to the forces on time, stringent quality assurance, JV with foreign and other domestic manufacturers and to increase their overseas presence and exports.[14][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]

References[]

  1. "Indian Ordnance Factories: History". Ofb.gov.in. 1 April 1999. http://ofb.gov.in/index.php?wh=history&lang=en. Retrieved 2012-07-17. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/production/Top100
  3. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3321340.ece
  4. 4.0 4.1 http://www.idsa-india.org/an-apr-7.html
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External links[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Ordnance Factories Board and the edit history here.
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