New Delhi: Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) observed its 219th foundation day on March 18 with the first one known as the ‘Gun and Shell Factory’ at Cossipore in Kolkata being established on this date in 1801.

The OFB is a conglomerate of 41 ordnance factories under the aegis of its corporate headquarters in Kolkata. The OFB came into existence on April 2, 1979 in the new avatar.

Since their inception, the Ordnance Factories have evolved as one of the largest defence manufacturing conglomerates in the world with more than 90 per cent of indigenous content and a strong technological and R&D infrastructure that currently contributes to 25 per cent of the revenue.

The OFB is currently developing many critical weapon systems with cutting edge technologies. Prominent among these is the upgraded BMP II, an infantry combat vehicle (ICV). With technologies such as advanced target tracking and a new fire control system, ICV will be equipped with missile firing capability. This upgrade will considerably extend the life of the existing BMP IIs.

The Ordnance Factories are also developing the futuristic infantry combat vehicle (FICV) which will be the successor of the upgraded BMP II. The OFB plans to have the prototype ready by mid-2021.

A majority of the R&D work being carried out by the Ordnance Factories is in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and premium institutes such as the IITs. The OFB has entered into an agreement with IIT Madras to develop Centre of Excellence for Ammunition at the institute that will power the development of futuristic ammunition such as precision guided ammunition.

The OFB has also signed an MoU with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) for advanced research.

The Ordnance Factories have been catering to the needs of the Armed Forces for more than two centuries by providing them with arms, ammunition and equipment and will continue to do so in future.