Ordnance Factory Board: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}

{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}

| num_employees      = ~80,000<ref name="idsa-india.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.idsa-india.org/an-apr-7.html|title=Trends in Defence Production: Case of Ordnance Factories|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref>

OFB was the 37th-largest [[List of defense contractors|defence equipment manufacturer]] in the world, 2nd-largest in [[Asia]], and the largest in [[India]].<ref>https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/fs_arms_industry_2017_0.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> OFB was the world's largest government-operated production organisation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Factories+of+graft/1/47422.html|title=Factories of graft|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref> and the oldest organisation in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mod.nic.in/product&supp/welcome.html |title=Ministry of Defence, Govt of India |publisher=Mod.nic.in |access-date=2012-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704170459/http://mod.nic.in/product%26supp/welcome.html |archive-date=4 July 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/of.htm|title=Ordnance Factories|author=John Pike|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref> It had a total workforce of about 80,000.<ref name="idsa-india.org"/> It was often called the "Fourth Arm of Defence",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mod.nic.in/Samachar/april15-02/html/ch1.htm |title=Two Centuries of Guns and Shells |publisher=Mod.nic.in |access-date=2012-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207204324/http://mod.nic.in/Samachar/april15-02/html/ch1.htm |archive-date=7 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiadefence.com/OFB.htm|title=WHAT|access-date=2 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034309/http://www.indiadefence.com/OFB.htm|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofbgcf.nic.in/default.html|title=Gun Carriage Factory|access-date=2 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213735/http://ofbgcf.nic.in/default.html|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the "Force Behind the Armed Forces" of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ddpdoo.gov.in//pages/about-us |title=About Us - Ordnance Factory Board |publisher=Ordnance Factory Board |access-date=2012-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hal-india.com/othermod.asp|title=Hindustan Aeronautics Limited|access-date=2 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625120459/http://hal-india.com/othermod.asp|archive-date=25 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Its total sales were at {{USD|3 billion}} ({{INR|22,389.22 crores}}) in the year 2020–'21.<ref name="nationalheraldindia.com"/>

The Indian Ordnance Factories have not only supported India through the wars, but also played an important role in building India, with the advancement of technology, and have ushered the [[Industrial Revolution]] in India, starting with the [[Iron and steel industry in India|first modern steel, aluminium, copper plants of India]],<ref>http://eprints.nmlindia.org/3774/1/75-80.PDF {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web | url=http://ddpdoo.gov.in/units/MSF | title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Metal and Steel Factory}}</ref> [[Textile industry in India|first modern electric textile mill of India]], [[Chemical industry in India|first chemical industries of India]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/040919/dont-privatise-cordite-factory-a-raja-urges-rajnath-singh.html | title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Cordite Factory Aruvankadu| date=4 September 2022}}</ref> established the [[List of Indian engineering colleges before Independence|first engineering colleges of India]], as its training schools,<ref name="educationforallinindia.com">https://www.educationforallinindia.com/1949%20Report%20of%20the%20University%20Education%20Commission.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> sparked [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|India's first war of independence in 1857]] with its rifles and bullets,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ddpdoo.gov.in/unit/pages/OFDC/about-us9|title = About Us &#124; Ordnance Factory dumdum &#124; Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bengals-183-year-old-tryst-with-afghans/articleshow/85575590.cms|title = Bengal's 183-year-old tryst with Afghans &#124; Kolkata News - Times of India|website = [[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and also played key role in the founding of research and industrial organisations like [[ISRO]], [[DRDO]], [[Bharat Dynamics Limited|BDL]], [[Bharat Electronics|BEL]], [[BEML]], [[Steel Authority of India Limited|SAIL]], etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ddpdoo.gov.in/units/MSF|title=Home &#124; Metal & Steel Factory, Ishapore &#124; Government of India|website=ddpdoo.gov.in}}</ref><ref>https://gsf.gov.in/index.php?id=2&pid=2 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2022}}</ref>

The prime customers of Indian Ordnance Factories were the [[Indian Armed Forces]] viz. Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiannavy.nic.in/book/weapons?page=0,5|title=Weapons – Indian Navy|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/Indian-general-purpose-bombs-India.html|title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's – IHS|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref name="OFB Brief" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/units/index.php?unit=saf&page=my_6&lang=en|title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Small Arms Factory|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref>

Customers are in the civil sector, central/state government organisations and departments such as [[Indian Railways]], [[Indian Space Research Organisation]], [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]], [[Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre]], [[Nuclear Fuel Complex]], [[Aeronautical Development Agency]], [[Department of Atomic Energy]], [[Department of Telecommunications]], and State Electricity Boards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/units/index.php?unit=gif&page=about&lang=en|title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Grey Iron Foundry|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/units/index.php?unit=ofaj&page=about&lang=en|title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Ordnance Factory Ambajhari|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/units/index.php?unit=ocfc&page=about&lang=en|title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Ordnance Cable Factory Chandigarh|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/units/index.php?unit=ofi&page=my_2&lang=en|title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Ordnance Factory Itarsi|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref> [[Public Sector Undertakings in India]] (PSUs) such as [[HMT Limited]], [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]], [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited]], [[Bharat Dynamics Limited]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ofbindia.gov.in/units/index.php?unit=happ&page=my_0&lang=en|title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Heavy Alloy Penetrator Project|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref> private companies and individuals etc. who purchased 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.<ref name=OFB>{{cite web|url=http://ofb.gov.in/index.php?wh=customers&lang=en |title=Indian Ordnance Factories: Customers |publisher=Ofb.gov.in |access-date=2012-07-17}}</ref>

* North and South America: United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Suriname<ref name=OFB /><ref>{{cite web|author=Pratim Ranjan Bose |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-others/tp-editorial-feature/article2494614.ece |title=Business Line : OTHERS / EDITORIAL FEATURE : We're making Ordnance factories future ready, says OFB Chairman Dimri |publisher=Thehindubusinessline.com |date=29 September 2011 |access-date=2012-07-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/indian-defence-exports-valued-rs-997-crore-112631667.html|title=Indian defence exports valued at Rs.997 crore|date=12 December 2012|work=Yahoo News India|access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref><ref>[https://www.sipri.org/databases/armsindustry SIPRI Arms Industry] SIPRI. Retrieved 2019-12-18.</ref>

* [[Narinder Singh Kapany]] – Former [[IOFS]] officer. Invented [[fibre optics]] that revolutionised laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery, telecommunications, power transmission, etc. Named as one of the seven "Unsung Heroes of the 20th century" by [[Fortune magazine]] for his [[Nobel Prize]]-deserving invention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/oct/08/how-india-missed-another-nobel-prize.htm|title=How India missed another Nobel Prize|website=Rediff.com|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref>  Known as the "Father of Fibre Optics" and "The Man who Bent Light".<ref name="tribuneindia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20001118/windows/main1.htm|title=The Tribune – Windows – Main Feature|website=Tribuneindia.com|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref>  Former Professor at [[Stanford]], Universities of California at [[University of California, Berkeley|Berkeley]], [[University of California, Santa Barbara|Santa Barbara]] and [[University of California, Santa Cruz|Santa Cruz]]. Had more than 150 patents to his credit.<ref name="tribuneindia.com"/> Conferred upon with [[Padma Vibhushan]], the second-highest honour in India, [[Pravasi Bharatiya Samman]], [[FREng|Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng)]]. He was also offered the post of [[DRDS|Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister of India]], by the first Prime Minister of India, [[Jawaharlal Nehru]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/narinder-singh-kapany-how-a-job-in-jawaharlal-nehrus-team-eluded-father-of-optics-2647753|title=How A Job In Jawaharlal Nehru's Team Eluded "Father Of Optics"|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

* [[H. P. S. Ahluwalia]] – [[IOFS]]. First Indian to climb [[Mount Everest]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/may/31/youngest-everest-climber-meets-first-indian-who-scaled-the-peak.htm|title=Youngest and first: Indian Everest conquerors meet|website=Rediff.com|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/first-indian-group-to-scale-mt-everest-feted_1576035.html|title=First Indian group to scale Mt Everest feted|date=9 April 2015|website=Zeenews.india.com|access-date=22 August 2022}}</ref>  Author, mountaineer, social worker. Founder & Chairman of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre. Conferred on with the [[Arjuna Award]], [[Padma Shri]] and [[Padma Bhushan]] by the Government of India, [[Royal Geographical Society|Fellowship of Royal Geographical Society (FRGS)]]. Also served as a Commissioned officer in the [[Indian Army]] and Member of [[Planning Commission (India)]].

* [[H. G. S. Murthy]] - IOFS. Known as one of the "Seven Pioneers of the Indian Space Programme".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/slidesowdev/flashback-indian-space-stalwarts-though-the-years/photostory/65501656.cms|title = Indian space stalwarts though the years|website = [[The Times of India]]|date = 22 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2015/jul/29/Among-the-Seven-Pioneers-787617.html|title = Among the Seven Pioneers}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-i-m-proud-that-i-recommended-him-for-isro-ev-chitnis-2109096|title=I'm proud that I recommended him for ISRO: EV Chitnis|website=DNA India}}</ref> He served at the Machine Tool Prototype Factory (MTPF), Ambernath, and as the first Director of the [[Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station |Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS)]], and the Space Science & Technology Centre, now known as the [[Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre]], of the [[Indian Space Research Organisation|Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]]. Awarded [[Padma Shri]] in 1969.<ref name="mha.gov.in"/>

*[[O. P. Bahl]], an [[IOFS]] officer. Received [[Padma Shri]] in 1972, in the civil-service category, as the General Manager of [[Ammunition Factory Khadki]], which developed and manufactured the [[Anti-submarine missile|anti-submarine rockets]] used in sinking the submarine [[PNS Ghazi]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.india.gov.in/myindia/padmashri_awards_list1.php?start=1810|title=Padma Shri Awardees|website=Government of India|access-date=17 October 2022}}</ref>