Ordnance Factory Day 2023: The Ordnance Factory Day (OFD) is observed on March 18 every year to commemorate the establishment of the first Ordnance Factory in colonial India near Kolkata in 1801. The day is celebrated by the Indian Ordnance Factories, and Ministry of Defence, to showcase the research, development, and production capabilities of the country’s ordnance factories in manufacturing a variety of guns and ammunition.
On this occasion, people can learn about India’s robust defense capabilities, including the artillery and ammunition that the country owns and utilizes. For more information about the history and significance of Ordnance Factory Day, please see the details provided here.
18th March: Global Recycling Day 2023
Ordnance Factory Day 2023 – Overview
Ordnance Factories Day is celebrated annually to pay tribute to India’s Ordnance Factories Board, which is recognized as the world’s 37th-largest manufacturer of defense equipment. The board is often referred to as the “Fourth Arm of Defense” in India, and the day is celebrated to honor its contributions to the country’s defense capabilities.
The day marks the establishment of the first Ordnance Factory in India in 1801 and provides an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Ordnance Factory Board over the years. It is a time to reflect on the growth of the board and its vital role in enhancing the country’s defense capabilities.
| Day | Ordnance Factory Day (आयुध कारखाना दिवस) |
| Observed On | March 18 (every year) |
| Country | India |
| 2023 Theme | To Be Announced |
| Significance | Recognizes the significant role played by the Ordnance Factories Board. |
Ordnance Factory Day 2023 Theme
Every year ordnance factories day in India is celebrated along with a theme. The Ordnance Factory Day theme 2023 is not announced yet. The theme for 2022 was “Vinashaya Dushkritam”.
Ordnance Factories Day History
Ordnance manufacturing in India dates back to the colonial era. The East India Company set up a Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata in 1775 to extend their economic and political influence in the country, which marked the inception of the army’s ordnance in India. The British established a gunpowder plant in Ishapore in 1787, which started production in 1791, and a Gun Carriage Agency in Cossipore, Kolkata in 1801, with production commencing on March 18, 1802. These were among the first industrial Ordnance Factories established in India, which are still operational today. Over time, the number of such factories grew, with India having 18 by 1947. Following independence, 21 additional factories were constructed. These facts shed light on the history of Ordnance Factory Day in India.
About Ordnance Factory Day
The Directorate of Ordnance (Coordination and Services), formerly known as the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), was a government organization under the Department of Defence Production (DDP) in India. On the occasion of Ordnance Factories Day, here are some details about the OFB:
The OFB was responsible for overseeing 41 factories with more than 70,000 employees and generating an annual revenue of Rs 19,000 crore. These factories were divided into seven government-owned Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs).
The government had been considering disbanding the OFB since shortly after the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The plan was approved by the Union Cabinet on June 16, 2021, and was announced on October 1, 2021.
Reports indicate that all existing factories and personnel were absorbed into the newly constituted defence PSUs, and all management, control, operations, and maintenance responsibilities were transferred to them. As a result, the Ordnance Factory Board, which was established to honour the Ordnance Factories of India and the service of the OFB towards the country, no longer exists.
How to Celebrate Ordnance Factories Day?
National Ordnance Factories Day is observed by raising the national flag and singing the National Anthem as a tribute to the valiant service of the OFBs. Here are some ways in which this day is celebrated:
The government organizes various events to mark Ordnance Factories Day, including displays of firearms, ammunition, rifles, artillery, and other military equipment at locations throughout India. These displays are open to the public free of charge and are accompanied by a procession.
The armed forces of every government require a steady supply of weapons and ammunition, which the OFB was responsible for manufacturing. This included small guns, explosives and propellants, and ammunition. Ordnance Factory Day was established to honor the OFBs’ dedication to the country’s defense sector.
Ordnance Factory Day 2023 – FAQs
Ordnance Factories Day is a day dedicated to honoring India’s ordnance factories, which are responsible for manufacturing and maintaining weapons, military vehicles, and optical devices. It is celebrated every year on March 18 in India.
OFD 2023 theme is not announced yet. The theme of Ordnance Factory Day 2022 was “Vinashaya Dushkritam”, which translates to “Destruction of the Wicked”. It aimed to highlight the contribution of the Ordnance Factories towards the protection and safety of the country.
Ordnance Factories Day is celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the first Ordnance Factory in India and to recognize the efforts of the Ordnance Factories towards India’s defence sector. The Ordnance Factories Board, which oversees the functioning of these factories, is also known as the “Fourth Arm of Defence” in India.
Ordnance Factories Day is celebrated in India by hoisting the national flag and singing the national anthem. It also involves organizing public exhibitions of India’s artillery, arms, and ammunition, and having speeches by politicians or members of the Ordnance Factory Board.
The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was disbanded in India on October 1, 2022. It was replaced by seven new defence PSUs after an announcement by the Prime Minister of India. However, Ordnance Factory Day is still celebrated every year to acknowledge the significant role played by the OFB in India’s defence sector.
Ordnance Factory is a government-owned corporation in India that produces and maintains a wide range of military equipment and ammunition, including bombs, rockets, missiles, military vehicles, and optical devices.
There were 41 Ordnance Factories in India. These factories were owned and operated by the Ordnance Factory Board, a government-owned corporation.
Ordnance Factory is a government-owned corporation in India, which means it is owned and operated by the Indian government.
The 41 Ordnance Factories in India produce a wide range of military equipment and ammunition. Some of the key Ordnance Factories in India include the Ammunition Factory Khadki, Ordnance Factory Itarsi, Ordnance Factory Khamaria, and Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli.
In October 2022, the Indian government disbanded the Ordnance Factory Board and converted it into seven new defence PSUs. As a result, the Ordnance Factory no longer exists under its old name.