HISTORY

HISTORY

OFT

      Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli (OFT) was inaugurated by Late.Smt.Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India on 3rd July 1966 with a view to increase the capacity of Small Arms production. OFT started with 9mm carbines in 1967 and in 1970’s OFT started manufacturing 7.62 mm Rifles. Later during 1990’s this factory started manufacturing 12.7 mm Air Defence Gun & 30 mm Cannon as was elevated as a medium caliber weapon manufacturing unit.  

      On 14th August, 2021 Ordnance Factory Board was corporatized into 7 Defence Public Sector Units. OFT becomes the part of AWEIL, which is headquartered at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh since then.

OFB/AWEIL

          The history and development of Indian Ordnance Factories is directly linked with the British reign in India. East India company of England for their economic interest in India and to increase their political hold considered military hardware as a vital element. During 1775 British authorities accepted the establishment of the Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata. This marks the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India. In 1787 a gunpowder factory was established at Ishapore which started production from 1791 ( at which location Rifle Factory was established in 1904). In 1801 a Gun Carriage Agency at Cossipore, Kolkata (presently known as Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore) was established and production started from 18th March, 1802. This is the first Industrial establishment of Ordnance Factories which has continued its existence till date. Evolution of Indian Ordnance Factories

          The growth of the Ordnance Factories leading to its present setup has been continuous but in spurts. There were 18 ordnance factories before India became independent in 1947. 21 factories have been established after independence - mostly, in wake of defence preparedness imperatives caused by the three major wars fought by the Indian Armed forces. 40th Factory is under establishment at Nalanda, Bihar.

Main Events

Main events in the evolution of Ordnance Factory can be listed as below:

         Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Ltd. (AWEIL) is one of the seven (7) new Defence PSUs formed by converting the Ordnance Factory Board into fully Government owned Enterprises. AW&EIL has been incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 on 14th August, 2021 however, its commencement of business took place on 1st October 2021 notified by DDP. It comprises of the following production and non- production units: 

Production Units