The Indian Ordnance Factories Board is an industrial setup functioning under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It is engaged in production of arms, ammunition, and equipment for civilian as well as military applications. Headquartered in Kolkata, it comprises 40 factories, nine training institutes, three Regional Marketing Centres and four Regional Controller of Safety.
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The history and development of Indian ordnance factories can be traced to the British regime. In 1775, the British authorities in India accepted the establishment of Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata. This marks the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India.
There were 18 ordnance factories in the country before 1947. Twenty-one factories were established after independence - mostly, in the wake of defence preparedness imperatives caused by three major wars fought by the Indian Armed Forces. The 40th factory is being set up at Nalanda in Bihar. Main events in the evolution of Ordnance Factory can be listed as below: 1801 - Establishment of Gun Carriage Agency at Cossipore, Kolkata. 1802 - Production started from 18th March 1802 at Cossipore. 1906 - The Administration of Indian Ordnance Factories came under a separate charge as 'IG of Ordnance Factories'. 1933 - Charged to 'Director of Ordnance Factories'. 1948 - Placed under direct control of Ministry of Defence. 1962 - Dept. of Defence Production was set up at Ministry of Defence. 1979 - Ordnance Factory Board came into existence from 2nd April.
The type of ordnance material produced is very diverse, ranging from various small arms through to rockets, grenades, mortars, artillery pieces plus all associated ammunition, propellants, explosives and fuses.
Products available to civilians:
Civilians are required to hold Arms Licence (issued only for non-prohibited bore category weapons) in order to buy firearms in India. The following products of the Indian Ordanance Factories Board are available for civilians:
Products not available to civilians:
The IOFB also produces Weapons, Ammunition, Explosives, Propellants & Chemicals, Military Vehicles, Armoured Vehicles, Optical Devices, Parachutes, Support Equipment, Troop Comfort, General Stores, and Material, Components & SPMs.