AWEIL - Ultimate Weapon Systems Provider

“Our Vision is to strengthen India’s defence capabilities under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ & ensure a larger global presence, for ourselves as well as for our Nation” — ,Chairman & Managing Director, Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited, in conversation with SP’s Land Forces.

- Rajesh Choudhary

SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): Kindly give the readers of SP’s LAND FORCES a brief background and introduction of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd. Rajesh Choudhary (Choudhary):

Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Ltd. (AWEIL) is one of the seven (7) new Defence PSUs formed by converting the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board into fully Government-owned Enterprises. AWEIL was incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 on August 14, 2021 and commencement of business took place on October 1, 2021 as notified by DDP. It comprises of 8 production units: Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI), Small Arms Factory Kanpur (SAF), Gun & Shell Factory, Cossipore (GSF), Ordnance Factory Tiruchirapalli (OFT), Ordnance Factory, Kanpur (OFC), Field Gun Factory, Kanpur (FGK), Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur (GCF), and Ordnance Factory Project Korwa (OFPKR) and 1 non-production unit AWEIL Training Academy, Ishapore. The units have proven integrated facility for high-quality, cost-effective manufacturing of small, medium and large caliber weapon systems & ammunition hardware.

SP’s: Please tell us about how AWEIL has grown since being established in 2021? Choudhary:

I am happy to say that post-corporatisation, AWEIL has been granted sufficient autonomy and flexibility to make decisions. This enables us to respond quickly to changing defence requirements and market dynamics, fostering agility and innovation. It is also helpful in strategic decision-making, accountability, and ensuring transparency in operation.