Field Gun Factory is the youngest factory among the 8 factories of the Weapons, Vehicles and Equipment (WV&E) division of Indian Ordnance factories. It is located at Kanpur, U.P. at a distance of 10 kms. from Kanpur Central railway station.

In the wake of the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and the Bangladesh Liberation war of 1971, the requirement of Weapon equipment, especially artillery field guns was huge. It was decided by the Indian Government to establish a new factory dedicated to Field gun production, which should be a self-contained unit for production of Field Guns. The factory caters for all facilities required for manufacturing of large caliber ordnances. This includes preparation of desired grade of steel, heat treatment, machining, inspection, final assembly, proof fire, and issue. Field Gun Factory has a good ergonomics of shop layout designed as per manufacturing operation to ensure easy and logical movement of product inside the factory.

The factory spreads over an area of 104.10 Hectares, 39% of the area is covered by shops and miscellaneous buildings, and the rest 61% is maintained green. The infrastructure has been scientifically designed and consists of industrial/ commercial buildings and services viz power supply, water supply, sewage, air conditioning, drainage system, compressed air supply etc.

The factory production facilities can be broadly categorized into the Metallurgical and Engineering sector.

Field Gun Factory, Kanpur synonymous with its appellation, has a unique capacity of manufacturing various types of Field Guns commensurate with the country's Defence needs. The factory has a set up with all types of the latest and sophisticated production processing equipment right from melting, forging to finish machining with a built-in superlative degree of excellence in quality.

As part of its diversification programme, the product range of the factory has been further expanded and the factory is catering to the demands of the civilian market in government and private sectors and also personal weapons.

The factory believes in producing stores of highest international quality which is revealed from the fact that the factory has implemented the International Quality Management System standard (ISO 9001: 2015) in all spheres of its production activities. The factory possesses ISO 14000: 2015 and OHSAS 18000:2007 certification. The factory also has a NABL accredited lab. to ensure that all the measurement devices and instruments, used in production activities are calibrated to International Standards.

Gun and Shell factory was established in 1801 in the name of GUN CARRIAGE AGENCY by the EAST INDIA COMPANY for repair and manufacture of gun carriages.

The transformation from bullock-driver contrivances of Gun Carriage Agency to that of a maker of sophisticated weapon systems is an absorbing story of technological advancement in consonance with developments in modern military hardware. Now it is a fully fledged engineering factory engaged in manufacturing of of ammunition hardware and ordnance stores for army, navy and other civil sectors. Supply to ARMY cover medium calibre guns, mortars elevating mass for L-70 anti-aircraft guns 84mm,rocket launcher, medium caliber shells ranging from 30 to 125 mm, various types of fuzes and primers.

Mission

Production of State of the Art Battlefield Equipments.

Vision

To equip our Armed Forces with modern "Defence and Battle Field Equipment".

To continuously modernize production facilities.

To Train and motivate personnel.

To equip ourselves with technologies through acquisition, synergy and in R & D activities.

To continuously improve quality.

To achieve highest level of customer satisfaction.

HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT

The historical Land marks and development of the factory are as follows:

1801: Land procured to build a factory

1802: (18thMarch) Established Gun Carriage Agency for manufacture and repair of Gun carriages.

1830: Shifting of Gun Foundry from Fort William and abolition of Gun Carriage Agency and renaming the factory as Gun Foundry.

1832: Change over from Bullock Driven machines to Steam Driven Machines.

1840: Production of both Brass and Iron Guns Established.

1872: Establishment of Shell Production & renaming as Foundry & Shell Factory

1880: Establishment of Fuze Section.

1892: Quality Steel production in bulk started first time in India.

1896 : Establishment of Rolling Mill.

1905: Shifting Furnaces and Rolling Mill shifted to Ishapore. Renamed as Gun & Shell Factory.

1908: Changeover from Steam to Electricity driven machinery

1927: Apprentice Scheme started.

1939: Outbreak of World War II; Annexing of Dum Dum Workshop to Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore.

1958: Tractor Project started.

1962: Production of Anti Aircraft Guns started.

1964: Dum Dum was setup as an independent unit.

1965: Tractor Project transferred to BEML.

1998: Establishment of 23 mm Pressure Barrel, 30 mm Ballistic Barrel, 9 mm Sub Caliber Barrel and AK-230 GunComponents (Naval).

1999: Establishment of 12.7 mm Air Defence Gun & 0.32? Pistol.

2002: Completion of 200 years of Factory, The first Factory within the Ordnance organisation to get ISO 9001-2000 certification.

2003: Establishment of production of Shell 30mm. HE/T, 51 mm Mortar.

2004: Establishment of production of Bomb 81 mm HE, Bomb 51 mm HE and 40mm. PFFC Shell.

हमारे मिशन / OUR MISSION

अत्‍याधुनिक उपकरणों का उत्‍पादन - Production of State of the Art Battlefield Equipments

हमारे लक्ष्‍य / OUR OBJECTIVE

*. गुणता में लगातार अभिवृदिध साथ ही सेनाओं द्वारा वांछित मिडियम कैलिबर आयुध एवं विस्‍फोटक निर्माण के क्ष्‍ेात्र में कोर सक्षमता के मजबूत करना.

Continual improvement in quality as well as strengthening core competence areas in the manufacture of medium calibre ordnances and ammunitions required by services.

*. अल्‍प समयावधि में नए उत्‍पादों का विकास

Development of new products in reduced time frame

*. अच्‍छे वेन्‍डरों का नेटवर्क बनाकर देशज श्रोतों से सभी कच्‍चे माल अवयव प्राप्‍त करने का प्रयास करना एवं ईन हाउस आर एंड डी मूल्‍य अfभयांत्रिकी परियोजनाओं के माध्‍यम से मूल्‍य ह्रास एवं गुणता अभिवृदिध सुनिश्चित करना।

To make endeavours to get all raw materials/ components from indigenous sources after building network of good vendors, and ensuring cost reduction and quality improvement through in – house R & D / Value engineering projects.

*.निवराक रख रखाव प्रणाली का उपयोग करके समय से स्‍पेअर उपलब्‍ध करवाकर एवं प्रशिक्षित श्रमशक्तियों को नियोजित करके प्‍लांट एवं मशिनरी की अधिकतम उपलब्‍धता सुनिश्चित करवाने पर ध्‍यान देना।

Focus on ensuring maximum availability of plant & machineries by adopting preventive maintenance system, making spares available in time and by employing trained manpower.

*. आधुनिक उच्‍च तकनीकी प्‍लांट एवं मशिनरी की संलग्‍नता एवं सूचना तकनीकी का प्रयोग करके पूर्नप्रशिक्षित श्रम शकितयों द्वारा अत्‍याधुनिक प्रविधियों को लागू करवाना ।

Induction of modern/ high-tech plant & machi8neries and information technology to take up more sophisticated process by retrained manpower.

*. नागरिक बाजार में ग्राहकों की पसन्‍द जानना , ताकि पिस्‍तौल का नवीनतम रूपान्‍तर एवं अधिक आकर्षक माडल का उत्‍पादन किया जा सके तथा शान्तिकाल में जी एस एफ संसासधानों का उपयोग किया जा सके ।

Exploring the customer requirements in Civil market for manufacturing latest version and more attractive model of pistol so as to utilize the resources of GSF during peacetime.

*. ग्राहकों की संतुष्टि स्‍तर में उनसे साथ लगातार अंर्तप्रतिक्रिया कर अभिवृदिध करना तथा ग्रा‍हक आधार में वृदिध करना।

To enhance customer satisfaction level by interacting more frequently with them, and to increase customer base.

हमारे विजन / OUR VISION

*. हमारे सैन्‍य वलों को आधुनिक “ रक्षा एवं युदध क्षेत्र उपकरणों से सुसज्जित करना

To equip our Armed Forces with modern "Defence and Battle Field Equipment".

*. उत्‍पादन सुविधाओं को लगातार आधुनिक बनाना

To continuously modernize production facilities.

*. कार्मिकों को प्र‍शिक्षित एवं अभिप्रेरित करना

To Train and motivate personnel.

*. अभिग्रहण ,सिनर्जी एवं आर एवं डी अभिक्रियाओं के माध्‍यम से अपने आप को नई तकनीकियों से सुसज्जित करना

To equip ourselves with technologies through acquisition, synergy and in R & D activities.

*. गुणता में लगातार अभिवृदिध करना

To continuously improve quality.

*. ग्र‍ाहक सन्‍तुष्टि के शिखरतम स्‍तर को प्राप्‍त करना

To achieve highest level of customer satisfaction.

*. रक्षा एवं गैर रक्षा क्षेत्रों में ग्राहक आधार बढाना , खुले बाजार में अपनी अंर्तराष्‍ट्रीय उपस्थिति दर्ज करना

To increase customer base in defence & non-defence, opens market and establish global presence.

Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) Jabalpur is a unit of Ordnance Factory Board under Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

GCF was established in 1904. It is the first Ordnance Factory in Central India which has been providing the Armed Forces with the latest Armaments and Weapons adopting best practices, highest quality and integrity.

GCF is dedicated towards arming the Indian Armed forces with the latest and the most sophisticated World Class Weapon systems in accordance with the expressed needs and requirements specified by the Defence and Paramilitary forces. GCF strives to achieve the targets without compromising on the quality of the weapons.

Ordnance Factory Kanpur, having modern facilities, is a production powerhouse for manufacture of Large Caliber Ordnances and Ammunition Hardware under one roof. The factory has undertaken large-scale modernization of manufacturing and quality assurance facilities, with a motto of “Building Quality product through Modernization”. The factory caters to the needs of Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and sister Ordnance factories.

Ordnance Factory Project, Korwa is the latest modern Project of Ordnance Factory Board. The project was started in December 2007 at Amethi, UP. HAL, Korwa is a neighbouring defence unit. This factory is the latest feather in the cap of Ordnance Factory Organisation, having state of art technology and modern air-conditioned plants. The project is well equipped with modern machineries & infrastructure. Pump Action Gun (PAG) has been produced since 2015. Presently, we are also in producing some critical components of T.A.R. 7.62*39 calibre Rifle. This factory is presently hosting Indo Russian Rifles Pvt. Limited (a company owned by OFB (GoI), Kalashnikov of Russia and RoE of Russia).

OFPKR is located in the District of Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. It is 135 kms away from State capital Lucknow and almost 100 Kms from Prayagraj. It is well connected by Road and by Rail from Lucknow & Allahabad. The Nearest Historical pilgrimage Places are Varanasi and Shri Ajodhya. Varanasi is about 140 Kms and Ayodhya (Ram Mandir) is about 100 Kms from this place.

Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT) was inaugurated by Late Smt Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India on 3rd July 1966 with a view to increase the capacity of Small Arms Production, as an additional facility to the Rifle Factory, Ishapore and Small Arms Factory, Kanpur. It started production with 9mm Carbines in 1967, but by the middle of the 1970s it was able to produce 7.62mm Rifles. OFT is now equipped with the most modern and sophisticated technology including Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines for manufacturing Weapons and Small Arms. OFT is IMS Certified Unit. ISO 9001 : 2015, ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 18001:2017, EnMs - ISO 50001-2011 Certified. OFT laboratory is NABL accredited for Mechanical & Chemical disciplines.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the East India Company planned to set up a GunPowder Factory of their own. They selected a place where the Dutch Ostend Company had run a GunPowder Factory from 1712 to 1744. The selected land was in possession of Maharaja Nobkissen Bahadur from 1769. The East India Company made an exchange settlement with the Maharaja to acquire this land.

A Deed dated 28th April, 1778 was made between the Maharaja and the Governor General of United Company, Warren Hastings. In exchange for Noapara and certain other villages belonging to the estate of the Maharaja, the Company awarded him talukdari of several villages situated in Calcutta, containing bazaar Sootaloottee, Subah Bazar, Charles Bazar, Baugh Bazar etc.

It is known from the marble plaque on the main gate of the factory that the work for setting up the Gun Powder factory Ishapore, commenced sometime in 1787 under J. Farquhar, Agent and production started from 1st January 1791 and continued for more than a hundred years till 1st June 1902.

From the editorial note of the Statesman dated 8 July 1901, it is revealed that one Captain Moore of the Indian Ordnance department was assigned the task of creating facilities at Ishapore for turning out 25,000 rifles and carbines annually on the lines of an existing factory at Sparkbrook near Birmingham. The site of the gunpowder factory was selected for setting up this factory. On completion of the work, production started from 20th September 1904. The factory was renamed as Rifle Factory, Ishapore.

Parallels of this factory can be drawn with Royal Small Arm Factory of Enfield Lock- a suburban township, North of London, where the famous Enfield Rifle was born and which had been the home for the design, development, manufacture and testing of small arms. Ishapore was rightly christened as the 'Enfield of India' in view of the geographical and other similarities between the two locations. RFI thence embarked upon a long journey in the field of small arms and in its march to glory, produced blend of small arms from the kookriees, swords, bayonets, revolvers, pistols, carbines, muskets, bazooka launcher rockets to 7.62 SLR Ishapore Rifles, 9mm Auto Pistols and 5.56 INSAS and made its indelible mark in the history of small arms production in India.

During World War I & II, the factory produced large quantities of .303 Bolt Action Rifles to meet the war requirements. In addition to this, repair works for Light Machine Guns like MAXIM, LEWIS, HOTCHKISS and VICKERS were also carried out.

The first step towards Indianisation of Ordnance Factories Supervisory Cadre was initiated at RFI when the scheme for training of apprentices started in the year 1920. The Ordnance Technical School a pioneer in Technical Training in Ordnance Factories imparted Training to the young inductees at workmen and supervisory levels.

After Independence, due to shortage of work load from the Military Services, the factory had to diversify its production activities. The factory undertook design & development of Civil weapons to keep the manpower engaged. Manufacture of 12 Bore DBBL & SBBL Shot Guns started in the year 1953. In 1956, the .315" Sporting Rifle was established. Even today this weapon has a very good demand in the Civil Market.

In 1962, the factory was called upon to establish a 7.62mm Semi-Automatic Rifle to meet the Army's emergent operational requirements. The task was carried out with great success and the factory was commended for the extraordinary feat in the India Parliament by the then Defence Minister.' The design and development of the 7.62mm Ishapore Rifle was completed within the shortest possible time and regular production started with effect from 1964-65. In recognition of this achievement of the factory, the then General Manager K.C. Banerjee was conferred 'PADMA SHRI' by the Govt. of India.

Ranging! Sub-Calibre Guns for 106mm RCL, 105 Tank Gun and 84mm Rocket Launcher were successfully productionised by the factory during the seventies and early eighties. The factory successfully established production of 9mm Pistol Auto in the year 1977 which continues to be in production till date.

In the year 1994, serial production of the 5.56mm INSAS Rifle was started. The rifle of contemporary international standard had been developed by the factory in partnership with ARDE. DRDO Technology Assimilation Award was conferred on the factory by the Prime Minister of India in 1997.

In the year 1999, RFI developed and established production of a .22" Sporting Rifle of international quality for the Civil sector. Through in-house R&D, RFI has also developed 0.22 Revolver in 2001-2002 for the civil sector, where it is attracting large demand.

In recent times, the factory has modernized considerably with the induction of latest technology in production areas to maintain high quality standards and improved production techniques to economize cost of output. CAD/CAM has been provided for the product! process design. Today, RFI is an ISO-9000 certified company. Its Chemical & Metallurgical Laboratory is NABL accredited Now, with its 'State-of-the-Art' technology, skilled manpower and best manufacturing practices, it is considered as the Jewel in the Crown of the Ordnance Factories Organisation.

Small Arms Factory (SAF) Kanpur is a premier weapons production unit of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited under the Ministry of Defence with a proud history of more than 75 years in design, development and manufacturing of weapons for Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces and State Police. It also manufactures various models of Revolver 0.32” to meet varying needs of our esteemed customers in the civilian market.

SAF was built in 1942 at Kanpur as part of the strategic plan to have a shadow factory of Rifle Factory Ishapore to undertake manufacture of Small Arms as a sequel to threat on the eastern border during World War-II and it was named as Transplantation Project-1.

After independence, the factory was renamed as Small Arms Factory in 1949.The first weapon rolling out from the factory was the famous 0.303” Bren Gun, which was later developed into 7.62mm Light Machine Gun in the year 1964. In 1963, production of the 9mm Carbine, famous for its utility in Close Combat, was started which continues to this day. Other notable weapons produced by the factory are 2-inch Mortar in 1966 and its new version 51mm Mortar in 1984. Production of Medium Machine Gun MAG 7.62mm in collaboration with M/s FN of Belgium was started in 1976 and continues till date. 0.32” Revolver is another prestigious product of SAF having its mark in the Civil Trade market. In 2021, a new version of the 0.32” revolver named “PRAHAAR” has been launched for civilian customers.

The factory entered an era of modern weapon production by taking up the production of the INSAS family of weapons which were jointly developed with DRDO/ARDE during the year 1996. Two variants of this family i.e. LMG 5.56mm & Rifle 5.56mm are under current production at SAF.

Weapon system JVPC 5.56mm has been successfully designed and developed by Small Arms Factory in association with ARDE Pune. The JVPC 5.56mm weapon has been supplied to various CAPFs and SPOs. LMG 7.62mm Belt fed and Side Swing Revolver 0.32” are under various stages of development/user trials.

The factory is accredited with Integrated Management System Manual (IMS) Certification covering Quality Management System (IS/ISO 9001:2015), Environmental Management System (IS/ISO:14001:2015), Occupational Health and Safety Management System (IS 45001:2018) and Energy Management System(IS/ISO:50001:2011).

Under Updation

OFIL Ishapore is the training institute under the Advance Weapon & Equipments India Ltd., a Govt. of India Enterprise, Under ministry of Defence, engaged in imparting & upgrading technical and managerial skills of Group 'B' & 'C' officers / employees . The institute also provides training to GR -B Gazetted & Non- Gazetted officers and conducts specialized Course in Core Competency areas of Metallurgy, Small Arms & Quality through experienced & qualified in-house faculties and other AWEIL units, DGQA and eminent academicians from reputed Colleges / Institutions & relevant disciplines. The Institute also imparts training in IT related fields, Advanced PHP, Cyber security, Networking, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence etc. The institute also provides tailor-made programs to CAPFs and State Police forces as well as security guards of Public sector banks to upkeep & repair of Small Arms. The Institute is also offering some of its courses to employees of Govt. departments other than under MOD as well as from PSUs & Private sectors.

The Institute came into existence under Lt. Col. L. De Lenfestey RA CIA during British rule in 1920, the then Superintendent of Rifle Factory, Ishapore and has always enjoyed a place of pride amongst the fraternity of Ordnance Factories as well as in the Industry for its quality of training and calibre of alumni who have achieved very high positions in the Govt. and corporate world.

OFIL Ishapore is a recipient of prestigious Golden Peacock National Training award awarded by Institute of Directors in 1997 & 2005 and was Runner Up in 2002. Location: - OFIL Ishapore is on State Highway (locally known as Ghosh Para Road). Ishapore railway station is located nearby within 5 mins walking distance. OFIL Ishapore is located in Ishapore Defence Estate (at 22.81°N 88.37°E) adjacent to Rifle Factory Ishapore which is a census town in Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

It is approachable from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at a distance of 26 km. It takes 45 minutes to travel from Dum Dum Airport to OFIL Ishapore via Jessore Road. Anyone intending to travel to OFIL Ishapore by train can catch a train from Sealdah / Dum Dum / Bidhan Nagar Road Rail Station. Someone coming from Howrah can take Bus or Hired car to reach Sealdah Station.

OFIL Ishapore also boasts of Hostel facility for the participating officials and others providing boarding and lodging.

(AC & NON-AC rooms) with a total capacity of 116 and recreational facilities in terms of Indoor and Outdoor sports.