Question: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether Government has completed review and evaluation of technological upgradation of the Ordnance Factories (OFs);

(b) if so, the details and findings of such a review;

(c) the comparative technical status of our Ordnance Factories vis-à-vis major countries; and

(d) the steps Government intends to take to improve our competitive technological competency?

Answer: Minister of Defence (Shri A.K. Antony)

(a) & (b): The technological upgradation in Ordnance Factories is a continuous process. In order to keep abreast with the latest technologies and to maintain the production capacity, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) inducts new technologies for production and replaces existing plant and machinery through institutionalized mechanism.

To achieve the above objectives of technological updation and augmentation of production capacities, investment of Rs.15764 crore has been planned during 12th Five Year Plan.

(c) & (d): The infrastructure for manufacturing at Ordnance Factories for their range of products is comparable with the infrastructure of major countries.

With intent to improve their competitive technological competence, Ordnance Factory Board has established eleven Ordnance Development Centres for developing new products and upgrades in a focused manner.

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