Company History
The Beginning:
The history and development of Indian Ordnance Factories is directly linked with the British reign in India. East India company of England for their economic interest in India and to increase their political hold considered military hardware as a vital element. During 1775 British authorities accepted the establishment of the Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata. This marks the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India.
In 1787 a gunpowder factory was established at Ishapore which started production from 1791 ( at which location Rifle Factory was established in 1904). In 1801 a Gun Carriage Agency at Cossipore, Kolkata (presently known as Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore) was established and production started from 18th March, 1802. This is the first Industrial establishment of Ordnance Factories which has continued its existence till date.
Evolution of Indian Ordnance Factories
The growth of the Ordnance Factories leading to its present setup has been continuous but in spurts. There were 18 ordnance factories before India became independent in 1947. 21 factories have been established after independence - mostly, in wake of defence preparedness imperatives caused by the three major wars fought by the Indian Armed forces. 40th Factory is under establishment at Nalanda, Bihar. Main Events
Main events in the evolution of Ordnance Factory can be listed as below:
1801 - Establishment of Gun Carriage Agency at Cossipore, Kolkata.
1802 - Production started from 18th March 1802 at Cossipore.
1906 - The Administration of Indian Ordnance Factories came under a separate charge as 'IG of Ordnance Factories'.
1933 - Charged to 'Director of Ordnance Factories'.
1948 - Placed under direct control of the Ministry of Defence.
1962 - Dept. of Defence Production was set up at the Ministry of Defence.
1979 - Ordnance Factory Board came into existence from 2nd April.
2021 - AWEIL came into existence from 1 Oct, 2021 post corporatisation of OFB
Company overview
Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Ltd. (AW&EIL) is one of the seven (7) new Defence PSUs formed by converting the Ordnance Factory Board into fully Government owned Enterprises. AW&EIL has been incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 on 14th August, 2021 however, its commencement of business took place on 1st October 2021 notified by DDP. It comprises of the following production and non- production units:
Rifle Factory Ishapore, Small Arms Factory, Kanpur, Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore, Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli, Ordnance Factory, Kanpur, Field Gun Factory, Kanpur, Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur, and Ordnance Factory Project Korwa and non- production units at Ordnance Factories Institute of Learning Ishapore and Regional Controllerate of Safety, Kanpur.
Quality
CERTIFICATIONS AND ACCREDITATIONS
Integrated Management System (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 & OHSAS 18001:2007) NABL Accredited Lab as per IS 17025:2005 (Chemical, Mechanical, Metallurgical & non-destructive testing) IS/ISO 50001:2011 Energy Management System (EnMS)
Equipped with extensive facilities for inspection and test of material at each stage of Manufacture at NABL Accredited Lab for Chemical/Mechanical/Metallurgical Tests, Ultrasonic Test, Magnetic Particle Testing, Dye Penetration Test, Spring Load Testing and Burst Test for Packing Boxes. Factory regularly interacts with reputed agencies and institutes like IIT, Kanpur for technical studies and quality improvements. It has Networked Quality Database Management System (NQDBMS) – a step towards transparency
Human Resource
Employee skill development (OFIL)
Vocational Training
Trade apprentice
Charter
AWEIL is committed towards standard, quality and time frame of service and product delivery, grievance redressal mechanism, transparency and accountability.
Target
The company has orders of ₹ ……. for the financial year 2021-22.
Board of Directors
Shri Umesh Singh
Chairman-cum-Managing Director
| cmd[at]aweil[dot]in |
Shri Umesh Singh completed graduation in Electrical Engineering from erstwhile University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee) in the year 1988. He joined Indian Ordnance Factory Services in August 1991. While in service he has done M.Sc. in Defence & Strategic Service from Defence Service Staff College, Wellington during 1998-1999. He has also done M.Sc. in Gun System Design from Defence College of Management & Technology, Cranfield University, United Kingdom for which he was awarded 'Royal Ordnance Trophy' by the college.
During his career spanning over 34 years he has served in the Field Gun Factory (FGK) Kanpur, Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) Jabalpur, Gun & Shell Factory (GSF) Cossipore, Ordnance Factory Board, Kolkata and New Defence Companies Division, DDP, New Delhi. While working in FGK, GCF & GSF he gained experience in the field of maintenance of critical Plant & Machinery, Production planning for Artillery Guns, Tank Guns & Air Defence Guns. At Ordnance Factory Board, Kolkata he was instrumental in making policy for the organization to derive growth through product development, collaboration with Indian/Foreign Private Companies.
During March 2022 to October 2023, he was DDG of New Defence Companies Division at DoO(C&S) New Delhi. As DDG/NDCD he played an important role in providing financial & non-financial support to newly formed DPSUs. He has also worked as Executive Director in Munitions India Limited Corporate Office, Pune before joining AWEIL.
He took over the charge of Chairman and Managing Director of AWEIL w.e.f. 01.04.2025.
Shri Jai Gopal Mahajan, CMA, CS, MBA (Finance)
Director (Finance)
| dir-fin[at]aweil[dot]in |
Shri Jai Gopal Mahajan (DIN: 10824241) took charge as Director (Finance) and Member on the Board of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) on 30.10.2024. Before joining the AWEIL, he was serving as Corporate Head of Finance as Executive Director (Finance) & Company Secretary in BEML Limited (7 years), a leading multi-technology 'Schedule A' CPSE under the Ministry of Defence. Prior to that he has served as Corporate Head of Finance & Company Secretary in National Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (14 years), a CPSE under Ministry of Textiles and before that in Ludhiana based Vardhman Group of Industries (11 years), a leading Textile Group in India.
Shri Mahajan is a 1991 batch Cost & Management Accountant with Company Secretary, MBA (Finance) and PG Diploma in Marketing Management (Gold Medalist). He secured scholarship in M.Com for standing First in H.P. University, Shimla. He has also undergone the Management Development Program on 'Interpersonal Effectiveness & Leadership Excellence' from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta and completed 'Executive Diploma in Project Management' from 'International Institute of Project & Program Management'.
He brings with him 32 years of rich & versatile experience of Public sector (21 years) as well as Private sector (11 years) in Defence & Aerospace, Rail & Metro, Mining & Construction Equipment, Handlooms, Textile and Pharmaceutical Industry in all aspects of Financial Management, Accounts, Audit, Vigilance, Digitalisation and Company Law matters involving treasury & fund management, FOREX management, export credit, accounts finalization, internal audit, direct & indirect taxation, insurance, target costing, commercial, MIS, systemic improvements, policy formulation and compliances under Companies Act & SEBI Regulations. He firmly believes that commitment to work is the key to success.
Shri Mahajan, also took over the Additional Charge of Director/HR with effect from 01st December, 2024.
Shri Manas Kaviraj
Director (HR)
| dir-hr[at]aweil[dot]in |
Shri Manas Kaviraj, Director (HR), joined AWEIL, Kanpur on 09th September' 2025. He is a postgraduate in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from the Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi. Shri Kaviraj also holds a Master's degree in Labour Management and is a certified Strategic HR Analyst from IIM Rohtak.
He has over 34 years of rich experience in the entire field of Human Resources. Prior to joining AWEIL, Shri Kaviraj served various organizations such as Hindalco Ltd., Cipla Ltd., Coal India Limited, and MECON Limited & NBCC (India) Ltd. He has introduced transformative changes in NBCC (T) Ltd. organization's structure, particularly in Talent Management, Learning & Development, Employee Welfare & Motivation, Change Management, Competence Development, and Promotions. Under his leadership, NBCC has seen significant advancements in HR Planning, HR Analytics, and HR Business Partnering (HRBP).
Shri Kaviraj has fostered HR with a clear sense of purpose, shifting it from a traditional, reactive function to a dynamic and proactive force that not only addresses current needs but also nurtures talent, fosters growth, and builds a sustainable and forward-looking work environment. By embedding agility and resilience at its core, he had empowered HR to seamlessly adapt to change while also thriving in the face of challenges, ensuring it remains a steadfast pillar of the organization's success.
His contributions to the field of Human Resources have earned him numerous recognitions, including the Pride of HR Professional in PSU, India's Best HR Leaders in PSU, HR Corporate Award 2017-18, Best in Class for Training & Development, and the Great Place to Work Certification by the Great Place to Work Institute, India. He is a lifetime member of AIMA, National HRD Network (NHRDN), and the National Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM). Shri Kaviraj has also successfully qualified the prestigious Masterclass for Directors from the Institute of Directors (IOD) and is a Certified Corporate Director. He has also successfully completed ESG Certification from IICA-UNDP. In the recent past had also attended IIMA to acquire leadership skills.
Further strengthening his leadership role, Shri Kaviraj had also served as a Director of Real Estate Development & Construction Corporation of Rajasthan Limited JV (REDCOR).
Dr. Garima Bhagat, IRS-IT
Government Nominee Director
Dr. Garima Bhagat (DIN:10881164), Joint Secretary (Land System) has been appointed as Part-Time Official Director (Government Nominee Director) of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited w.e.f. 24 Dec 2024.
Dr. Bhagat is a B.Tech (Gold Medalist), M.Tech, MA (Economics), LLB (Gold Medalist) and a PhD from IIT Delhi. She secured Rank 1 in the Higher Secondary Examination (1990) and Rank 1 in the Engineering Service Exam, UPSC (1994). She is a 1996 batch Indian Revenue Service Officer (IRS-IT).
With over 28 years of public service experience in the Government of India, Dr. Bhagat has accumulated extensive expertise in areas such as taxation, anti-corruption, public procurement, administration and competition law. She has held several significant positions within the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Government of India. She has also served as the Chief Vigilance Officer at the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and as Joint Director General at the Competition Commission of India. Dr. Bhagat has also been a regular visiting faculty member at various apex educational and training institutions. She is the author of several research papers in leading international journals as well as 3 books on taxations. Prior to her current role as Joint Secretary (Land System) in the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, she served as Commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi.
She has no inter-se relationship with other Directors in the Company. Further, she doesn't hold any equity share of the Company.