Ordnance Factories Day: History, Theme, and Significance
Ordnance Factories Day is observed on the 18th of March every year to commemorate the establishment of the first ordnance factory in India in 1801. The day serves as a tribute to the exceptional work and commitment of the Indian Ordnance Factories, which have been an integral part of India’s defense system for over two centuries.
The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is the world’s largest government-operated production organization, responsible for manufacturing a wide range of defense equipment, from small arms and ammunition to tanks, combat vehicles, and aircraft. The OFB has 41 factories across India, employing over 80,000 personnel and generating significant revenue for the country.
Ordnance Factories Day: History
Ordnance factories in India have a history that dates back to the British era. To increase their economic interest and political influence, the East India Company of England considered manufacturing military hardware a vital component. The British authorities 1775 established a Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata, which marks the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India. In 1787, the British built a gunpowder factory in Ishapore, which started producing gunpowder in 1791. In 1801, the British built a gun carriage agency at Cossipore, Kolkata, which started producing gun carriages on March 18, 1802. In this way, the first Ordnance Factory was established in India and continues to operate to this day.
Ordnance Factories Day: Significance & Celebration
The observance of Ordnance Factories Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of the Indian Ordnance Factories to national security and the country’s defense preparedness. It is a day to pay homage to the brave soldiers who protect the nation and to recognize the efforts of the dedicated workforce that works tirelessly to support them.
Read More: 18 March in Indian and World History
On this day, various programs and events are organized by the Ordnance Factories across the country to showcase their products and capabilities. These events also provide a platform for industry experts and stakeholders to interact and share their knowledge and experiences.
Ordnance Factories Day: Quick Facts
- Ordnance Factories Day is observed on March 18th of every year in India.
- It commemorates the establishment of the first ordnance factory in India in 1801.
- The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is the world’s largest government-operated production organization.
- The OFB has 41 factories across India, employing over 80,000 personnel.
- Ordnance factories manufacture a wide range of defense equipment, from small arms and ammunition to tanks, combat vehicles, and aircraft.
- Ordnance factories played a crucial role in India’s defense during World War II, producing millions of rounds of ammunition and other equipment.
- Ordnance Factories Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of the Indian Ordnance Factories to national security and the country’s defense preparedness.
STATE-WISE DETAILS OF ORDNANCE FACTORIES:
| Sl. No. | Factory/ Location | Major Product (s) | |||
| TELANGANA | |||||
| 1. | Ordnance Factory, Medak
|
Infantry Combat Vehicle | |||
| BIHAR | |||||
| 2. | Ordnance Factory, Nalanda, Bihar | Propellant Bi-modular charges System (At Project Stage). | |||
| CHANDIGARH | |||||
| 3. | Ordnance Cable Factory, Chandigarh | Cables of various types, optical sights | |||
| MAHARASHTRA | |||||
| 4. | Ammunition Factory, Kirkee, Pune
|
Small Arms ammunition | |||
| 5. | High Explosive Factory, Pune | Explosives, Initiatory Explosives, Acids and Chemicals, etc. | |||
| 6. | Ordnance Factory, Chandrapur | Tank Gun Ammunition and Mortar ammunition. | |||
| 7. | Ordnance Factory, Varangaon | Small Arms ammunition | |||
| 8. | Ordnance Factory, Bhandara | Propellants and Commercial Explosives | |||
| 9. | Ordnance Factory, Dehu Road | Various Pyrotechnic compositions | |||
| 10. | Ordnance Factory, Ambajhari | Ammunition hardware for various ammunitions. | |||
| 11. | Ordnance Factory, Ambarnath | Brass and Guilding Metal cups of various Calibre for small arms and other ammunition. | |||
| 12. | Machine Tool Prototype Factory, Ambarnath | Design, development and manufacture of special-purpose machine tools and equipment, components and sub-assemblies for A & B vehicles. | |||
| 13. | Ordnance Factory, Bhusawal
|
Drums, Barrels, Ammunition boxes. | |||
| MADHYA PRADESH | |||||
| 14. | Ordnance Factory, Khamaria, Jabalpur | Small arms ammunition, anti aircraft ammunition, Heavy calibreanti tank ammunition, bombs, mines, ammunitions for Airforce and Navy. | |||
| 15. | Ordnance Factory, Itarsi | Propellants of various types, Acid, Sulphuric Acid, Picriteetc | |||
| 16. | Ordnance Factory, Katni | Non-Ferrous Rolled and Extruded sections, cups for small arms ammunitions, Heavy calibre cartridge cases | |||
| 17. | Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur | Carriages for Artillery Guns, Tank Gun Recoil System, Anti aircraft Gun, Mortars | |||
| 18. | Vehicle Factory, Jabalpur
|
Army Transport vehicles | |||
| 19. | Grey Iron Foundry
Jabalpur |
Automobile casting of Grey and Malleable Iron | |||
| ODISHA | |||||
| 20. | Ordnance Factory, Badmal, Bolangir | Tank Gun and Artillery ammunition
|
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| TAMIL NADU | |||||
| 21. | Heavy Alloy Penetrator Project, Tiruchirapalli | Empty Shots for Kinetic Energy ammunition. | |||
| 22. | Ordnance Factory, Trichy, Tiruchirapalli
|
Small Arms | |||
| 23. | Heavy Vehicle Factory, Avadi | Tanks | |||
| 24. | Engine Factory, Avadi | Engines for Battle Tanks and ICV
|
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| 25. | Ordnance Clothing Factory, Avadi | All Combat Clothing and Parade Garments, Parachutes | |||
| 26. | Cordite Factory, Aruvankadu | Propellant of various types. | |||
| UTTARAKHAND | |||||
| 27. | Ordnance Factory, Dehradun | Sighting and Fire Control instruments for tanks, Fire Control instruments for Guns and Mortars, Binoculars. | |||
| 28. | Opto Electronic Factory, Dehradun | Precision Opto Mechanical/Electronic Instruments for sighting and fire control for A vehicles. | |||
| UTTAR PRADESH | |||||
| 29. | Ordnance Factory, Muradnagar | Plain Carbon and alloy steel castings for Tanks, ammunitions, Steel forgings.
|
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| 30. | Ordnance Factory, Kanpur | Medium & High calibre guns, Shell empties. | |||
| 31. | Small Arms Factory, Kanpur | Small Arms.
|
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| 32. | Field Gun Factory, Kanpur | High Calibre Ordnance & Spare Barrels, .32” Revolver | |||
| 33. | Ordnance Equipment Factory, Kanpur | Leather items, textile items, engineering equipments including mountaineering items
|
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| 34. | Ordnance Parachute Factory, Kanpur | Parachutes of different types.
|
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| 35. | Ordnance Clothing Factory, Shahjahanpur
|
All Combat Clothing, Textile and Tentage items | |||
| 36. | Ordnance Equipment Factory, Hazratpur
|
Tents & other clothing items | |||
| 37. | Ordnance Factory, Korwa. | For production of carbines.
(At Project Stage). |
|||
| WEST BENGAL | |||||
| 38. | Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore | Medium Calibre Guns, Shells &Fuzes, pistols and Rocket Launcher | |||
| 39. | Rifle Factory, Ishapore | Small Arms. | |||
| 40. | Metal and Steel Factory, Ishapore | Various Ferrous and non-ferrous castings & extrusions, Light/Medium/Heavy Steel Forgings including Gun Barrel Forgings
|
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| 41. | Ordnance Factory, Dum Dum | Various Precision Machined and Fabricated items for Defence Forces.
|
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