Context
The Defence Ministry recently ordered the dissolution of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and its assets, employees and management to be transferred to seven newly constituted Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
About Ordnance Factory Board
- OFB was an umbrella body for the ordnance factories and related institutions.
- It functioned as a subordinate office of the Ministry of Defence.
- Composition: factories (41), Training Institutes (9), regional marketing centres (3) and regional controllers of safety (5).
- Its headquarters were located in Kolkata and was established by the British in 1775.
- OFB-run factories used to supply a major chunk of the weapon, ammunition and supplies for not just armed forces but also paramilitary and police forces.
- Production included Civilian and military-grade arms and ammunition, explosives, propellants and chemicals for missile systems, military vehicles, armoured vehicles, optical devices, parachutes, support equipment, troop clothing and general store items.
