We're making Ordnance factories future ready, says OFB Chairman Dimri

“We have planned comprehensive modernisation plans for manufacturing and support infrastructure for all factories. We have plans to invest approximately Rs. 6,000 crore during the 12th Plan period,” says Mr S. D. Dimri, Director General - Ordnance Factories and Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), in an interview to Business Line.

Under his stewardship, OFB commenced bulk production of Pinaka rockets and A&E division developed a number of new products such as practice versions of Anti-submarine Rocket RGB-60, RGB-12, Rocket 140 mm and Shell AK-100 for Indian Navy.

Mr Dimri, a capable and efficient administrator has versatile experience in the manufacturing of small arms ammunition, medium and high calibre ammunition, fuze production & troop comfort and protective clothing.

What is the present manufacturing capacity of OFB's factories? What are your plans for green-field and brown-field expansions?

The manufacturing systems of the OFB cover a wide range of fields, including, engineering – both metallurgical and chemical, textiles, leather and optical technology. The factories cater to the need of the armed forces and are mainly engaged in the manufacture and supply of arms, ammunition, battle field tanks, armoured as well as heavy vehicles, and clothing and accessories. The factories have core competency in manufacturing highly sensitive chemical compositions, propellants, explosive, missiles, fuzes, rifles, machine guns, Under-barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), fire control system, active and passive night vision devices, parachutes, tents, uniforms, etc.

Ordnance Factories are also major suppliers of intermediate chemicals, warheads and propellants used in the missile programmes and also to ISRO for advanced aluminium alloys used in the space programmes.

Look, long-term capacity is a relative term, depends upon product mix and flexibility of P & M infrastructure. We always ensure that capacity is sufficient to meet current as well as future requirement of Indian Armed Forces. For example, we are augmenting capacity for brown-field projects worth Rs 1,044 crore for mine protected vehicles, armoured vehicle engines, T-72 tank variants, spares for T-72 overhaul to meet enhanced requirements of Indian Armed Forces. We have outsourced low-end products worth Rs 3,500 crore approximately in the last fiscal from private sector, allowing them to grow and helping us to take the role of solution provider and system integrator at higher end of the supply chain.

Thus, we were able to register an impressive growth rate of 29 per cent in the last fiscal. We are changing our product mix towards many of the rockets and missile systems, from traditional arms and ammunitions. We can proudly say that Ordnance Factories are now manufacturing modern armaments involving intricate design and technological expertise of the highest order, contributing to the self-reliance.

We are coming up with Nalanda project for the bi-modular charges and Korwa project for Carbines. Both are green-field projects. The Government has also sanctioned a dedicated proof range at Multai in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh for testing of in-house developed products. We have planned comprehensive modernisation plans for manufacturing and support infrastructure for all factories. We have plans to invest approximately Rs. 6,000 crore during the 12th Plan period.

We are investing heavily in the modernisation of our plant and machinery. We are directing our efforts to build new products, variants and indigenise imported items. We are inducting competent fresh blood to take charge of new initiatives. We are exposing our officers to best practices abroad, by training and visits. We will ensure that OFB creates capacity, agility and flexibility to meet any future challenges. We are making Ordnance factories future ready.

Can you share some details regarding OFB's order book position?

Our order book position is healthy. OFB's order book is over-flowing with higher demand for its traditional products. As on date orders of approximately Rs 50,000 crore is in hand. OFB will be taking up many new products such as new generation assault rifles, CQB carbine, 155/52 artillery guns, 155/52 mounted gun system, 155 mm sensor fuzed munitions, Smerch rockets, grad rockets, successor to L-70 AD gun, very short range air defence missile, Latest generation ammunitions for 84 mm rocket launcher through technology transfer.

We would like to make most out of the opportunities coming from offset regime. Through our own and collaborative R&D, we will be coming up with many product upgrades and variants, that will sustain the growth momentum. We have increased our supplies substantially to the para-military forces touching Rs 1,000 crore thus diversifying our customer base. We intend to fulfil enhanced demand from Para-military Forces which would help us to grow further.

Can you throw some light on OFB's in-house R&D cell?

OFB was mandated to produce military hardware using technology either developed by DRDO, the designated Defence Research & Development Organisation or imported from overseas suppliers identified by the defence forces. Scope of research and development in Ordnance Factories was limited to process improvement and minor product improvements.

Ordnance Factory started developing new products and upgrades by enlarging the scope of in-house R&D and also resorted to collaboration with advanced technology provider to supplement inadequacy of available R&D infrastructure post 2002. The Ministry of Defence in 2006 delegated full powers for investment on R&D project. New R&D Policy was formulated by OFB in July 2007 to overcome deficiencies of present R&D set up.

About 12 development centres in addition to the R&D set up of the factories have been established in different locations with specific expertise in different generic areas.

Now, OFB is vigorously pursuing R&D. Ordnance Factories have successfully come up with many new products such as Commanders' thermal imaging night sight for T-72, driver night sight for BMP–II, indigenous barrel for T-90 tank and mine protected vehicles, bullet proofing of vehicles, water bowser (2 KL), base bleed for 155 mm ERFB, A-7 ammunition for AK-47 for Indian Army, CRN-91 with Optronic sight, Chaff Launcher Kavach MOD-I & II, anti-submarine Rocket RGB-60, RGB-12, Rocket 140 mm and Shell AK-100 for Indian Navy, 100-120 Kg Aerial Bomb for Indian Air Force, Air –lifting apparatus for MI – 17 helicopters Indian Air Force and Sea king of Indian Navy, platform for AN-32 aircraft, and long barrel 0.32 Bore revolver named ‘Anmol' for Civil Market.

Let me share our latest success story. At present, in the 7.62 mm calibre, our Central and Para-military Forces (CPMFs) are primarily using the imported AK-47 and other AK series rifles. The indigenously developed 7.62 mm Trichy Assault Rifle can substitute these. Thus, the user will have an option to choose an indigenous weapon meeting their operational requirements with two variants, one with fixed butt, the other with foldable butt. This weapon uses A7 ammunition developed by Ordnance Factory Varangaon.

This can be fired in single shot, automatic and burst fire mode. The weapon can be fitted with 40 mm Under Barrel Grenade launcher. The weapon has been provided with latest Picaatiny rail to enable easy fitting of reflex/ holographic/ laser sights. Performance wise, our weapon is better compared to AK-47, as this can fire 800 rounds per minute as compared to 700 rounds per minute by AK-47. Further, the weapon is shorter in length and lighter as compared to AK-47. It is pertinent to mention that 7.62mm Trichy Assault Rifle will have an inherent advantage of engineering support from OFB and also easy availability of spares.

Can you throw some light on your imports and exports? Which are the countries you export to at present and how do you see your exports moving forward?

OFB has exported its products to Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Israel; Middle East nations such as Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE; European countries such as Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Sweden, France, Switzerland, and the UK; African countries such as Kernya & Botswana; North and Latin American countries such as the US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, and Suriname.

Our export list includes small arms & ammunition, mortars & ammunition, light field gun & ammunition, demolition stores, passive night sights and mine protected vehicles, brake parachutes etc. Our strength lies in the medium and high calibre ammunitions.

In many parts of the world, there is a need for the 84 mm mortar & 105 mm gun system. Considering the fact that we have variants of 105 mm gun including vehicle mounted one, OFB would be able to supply the same, once Indian Army completely switches over to the high Calibre ones. We have been exploring avenues for long term partnerships for exports with some South East Asian countries.

Further, we must meet the requirements from our friendly neighbouring countries. At present, our export is a negligible percent of total turnover, as our capacities are all booked for Indian Armed Forces. Our decision to export cannot be at the cost of our supply to own Armed Forces. When our order books are overflowing, we have to first meet internal needs. Thus, we have been not able to significantly increase our exports recently.

Do you have plans for entering into joint ventures with foreign manufacturers for your arms and ammunitions?

OFB is ready to share its technology, products and solutions with like- minded nations for making the world a safer place. OFB welcomes joint development, joint testing and trials, joint production, joint marketing and joint product improvement over the life cycle of the equipment based on complementary strengths.

With offset regime in place, OFB is looking forward to delivering many sub-systems to the need of the leading overseas players with a stake in India. OFB aspires to strengthen itself by synergy with concerned agencies to emerge as a complete combat-solution provider. OFB believes, together we can make our Earth a better and safe place to live in.

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Through our own and collaborative R&D, we will be coming up with many product upgrades and variants, that will sustain the growth momentum. - Mr S. D. Dimri, Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board

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