With the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) reconstituted into seven defence public sector undertakings from Friday, ER Sheikh on Thursday assumed charge as first Director General of the Ordnance Directorate (Co-ordination and Services). It is the successor organisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
An Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS) officer of the 1984 batch, he has been a spearhead of modernisation.
In particular, he has contributed to the establishment of the modern production line system for the manufacture of small arms ammunition at the Ordnance Factory Varangaon.
A graduate of IIT Kanpur, he has served in various Ordnance Factories. He also led the successful indigenous development of Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) for artillery ammunition.
He is also the recipient of the Ayudh Ratna Award, 2020, conferred on him in recognition of his exemplary services to the organisation.
The seven new entities will be styled as Munitions India Ltd, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd, Troop Comforts Ltd, Yantra India Ltd., India Optel Ltd, and Gliders India Ltd.