The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced the establishment of a directorate to support the 41 defence factories formerly operated by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
The MoD said the Directorate of Ordnance (Co-ordination and Services) commenced operations on 1 October. It is led by Ejajur Rahman Sheikh, who takes on the role of director general. The MoD described the new directorate as the “successor organisation of the OFB”.
The new directorate, which reports to the MoD's Department of Defence Production, will assume responsibilities previously allocated to the OFB headquarters for managing the OFB's non-production units and land.
The MoD has not yet provided details about its role. However, the directorate is expected to co-ordinate its management duties with the seven companies that have emerged out of the OFB restructure.
These new companies formally started operations on 1 October. They comprise Munitions India Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, Troop Comforts Limited (military clothing), Yantra India Limited (components), India Optel Limited (opto-electronics), and Gliders India Limited (parachutes).
According to the MoD, the seven companies will have a combined authorised share capital of INR912 billion (USD12.4 billion) and net assets of about INR793 billion.
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