After producing 105 mm calibre guns, the Ordnance Factory Medak (OFM) has now come up with 155 mm calibre guns. They would be offered for extensive user trial from March, said Sudhir Kumar Beri, Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board.
Two tests conducted
They are like advanced versions of the existing Bofors guns. They are developed using 65 per cent indigenous components and 35 per cent imported ones.
Already, two tests were conducted successfully, he said.
In the coming days, the imported components percentage used in these guns would be brought down to 15 per cent, he said while addressing the media persons on the sidelines of 42nd All India Ordnance and Ordnance Equipment Factories annual athletic meet.
The project was taken up in association with five different agencies, including DRDO, DGME and DGQA.
Usually it takes over 60 months to develop such guns but they were developed within 12 to 14 months and this was possible due to the association of different agencies, he informed.
The Ordnance Factory Board was committed to expand the production capacity of OFM with a budget of Rs. 600 crore. The OFM’s present production capacity of 100 to 125 original equipments would now be enhanced to 200 original equipments, besides setting up facilities for overhaul of 50 tanks, said Mr. Beri.
This apart, a spares-supply facility would come up at the OFM, which would cater to the spare components needs of 200 army-based workshops.
There were plans to set up a rubber plant at the OFM to produce rubber components to be used in all ordnance factories in the country.
Talks were on with DRDO and Indian Rubber Manufacturers’ Association to take up the project, he said.
On the need for organising annual athletic meet, Mr. Beri replied that there were 41 ordnance factories in the country employing over a lakh people from different cultural backgrounds.
Promoting brotherhood
Events like this help in promoting brotherhood among employees.
Around 51 teams with 500 athletes would participate in the 42 edition of the meet at the OFM, he added. The athletes will competing for honours in 33 track and field events at the renovated Sarath Stadium in the OFM.
