Ordnance Factories Day: Honouring the Backbone of National Defence
Ordnance Factory Day, observed annually on March 18th, honours the establishment of the first Ordnance Factory in colonial India, close to Kolkata, in 1801. The Ministry of Defence's Indian Ordnance Factories is honouring this momentous event to showcase the country's expertise in the creation, manufacture, and testing of diverse firearms and ammunition. Given that India is among the world's top countries in terms of defence equipment ownership, this day is an excellent opportunity to examine the arsenal and weaponry that the nation employs.
What is the Ordnance Factory?
Every nation nowadays needs to ensure that its armed forces have a sufficient supply of weapons and ammunition.
Ordnance Factories are vital industrial units dedicated to producing defence equipment and materials for India's armed forces, encompassing small arms, ammunition, explosives, vehicles, clothing, and essential equipment. With 41 factories organised into five functional divisions under the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), they ensure the operational readiness of the defence forces. OFB considered the fourth arm of defence alongside the Army, Air Force, and Navy, plays a crucial role in supplying a diverse range of land, sea, and air systems, contributing significantly to national security.
Ordnance Factory Recruitment Centre, a unit of OFB, carries out recruitment activity for vacancies in Group B and C posts and conducts Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for the posts of Chargeman and JWM. OFRC also carries out engagement of Trade Apprentices.
History of Ordnance Factories:
The Indian Ordnance Factories were established more than a century before any other organisation, including the Indian Army and the Indian Railways. The Dutch Ostend Company founded a Gunpowder plant in Ichhapur in 1712, which is when the first ordnance plant in India was founded. Another gunpowder plant was founded at Ichapore in 1787; it started producing gunpowder in 1791. Later, starting in 1904, the location was used as a rifle factory. At Cossipore, Calcutta, the Gun Carriage Agency (today known as Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore) was founded in 1801, and on March 18, 1802, production got underway.
Is the Ordnance Factory a private or public entity?
Ordnance Factories are public entities managed by the Indian government. They are part of the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB), which oversees their operations. Having 41 ordnance factories, 9 training institutions, 3 regional marketing centres, and 4 regional controllers of safety, OFB ranks as the largest production entity in the world.
41 Ordnance Factories
- Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ)
- Small Arms Factory (SAF)
- Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI)
- Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF)
- Ordnance Factory Varangaon (OFV)
- Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT)
- Ordnance Factory Project Medak (OFPM)
- Ordnance Factory Project Korwa (OFPKR)
- Ordnance Factory Project (OFN)
- Ordnance Factory Muradnagar (OFM)
- Ordnance Factory Khamaria (OFK)
- Ordnance Factory Katni (OFKAT)
- Ordnance Factory Kanpur (OFC)
- Ordnance Factory Itarsi (OFI)
- Ordnance Factory Dumdum (OFDC)
- Ordnance Factory Dehu Road (OFDR)
- Ordnance Factory Dehradun (OFDUN)
- Ordnance Factory Chandrapur (OFCH)
- Ordnance Factory Chandigarh (OCFC)
- Ordnance Factory Bolangir (OFBOL)
- Ordnance Factory Bhusawal (OFBH)
- Ordnance Factory Bhandara (OFBA)
- Ordnance Factory Ambernath (OFA)
- Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAJ)
- Ordnance Equipment Factory Kanpur (OEFC)
- Ordnance Equipment Factory Hazratpur (OEFHZ)
- Ordnance Clothing Factory Avadi (OCFAV)
- Ordnance Clothing Factory (OCFS)
- Opto Electronics Factory (OLF)
- Metal and Steel Factory (MSF)
- Machine Tool Prototype Factory Ambernath (MPF)
- High Explosives Factory (HEF)
- Heavy Vehicles Factory Chennai (HVF)
- Heavy Alloy Penetrator Project (HAPP)
- Gun Carriage Factory Jabalpur (GCF)
- Gun and Shell Factory Cossipore (GSF)
- Grey Iron Foundry (GIF)
- Field Gun Factory Kanpur (FGK)
- Engine Factory Avadi (EFA)
- Cordite Factory Aruvankadu (CFA)
- Ammunition Factory Khadki (AFK)
Who Are the Owners?
The Director General of Ordnance Factories (DGOF) is in charge of the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB). Nine additional DGOF members make up the Apex Board.
Ordnance factories are grouped into five divisions based on their primary products and technologies, including Explosives, Weapons, Vehicles & Equipment, and Materials and Components.
Additional members in Kolkata oversee tasks related to technical services, personnel, finance, planning, and material management. Each division operates under the supervision of a member or an additional DGOF with the status of Special Secretary to the Government of India.
Why on March 18?
March 18th marks the anniversary of the establishment of the first Ordnance Factory in India. This day is significant in history because the Ordnance Factories came under the jurisdiction of the Indian government following India's independence in 1947. Ordnance Factories Day is celebrated on March 18, the day when the Ordnance Factory in Cossipore, Kolkata was formed.
Conclusion:
Ordnance Factories Day is not merely a celebration; It’s a testament to the consistent dedication and resilience of India's defence personnel. As we honour the legacy of Ordnance Factories on this day, let us recognise their crucial role in safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our nation. From historic beginnings to modern innovations, Ordnance Factories continue to stand as pillars of strength in India's defence landscape, ensuring a secure future for generations to come.
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