Army Uniform Travels From OCF Avadi To Suriname Army – First Army Uniform Export From Ordnance Factory

In the backdrop of Chinese aggression, the Ordnance Clothing Factory Avadi, Chennai, was established 1961 due to the efforts of the then Defence Minister V K Krishnan Menon and the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Kamaraj. The Factory was primarily established for manufacturing all types of Army Uniforms, Tents, Supply droppings Parachutes etc.,.

The OCF Avadi played a very vital role to the Defence of our Country during the Indo-China War of 1962, India – Pakistan War of 1971 and The Kargil war of 1999 by supplying in a time bound manner all the Troop Comfort Items to the Troops in the Battle Field. OCF Avadi, has got a dedicated Skilled Work force around 1500 employees who are specially trained in manufacturing Army Troop Comfort Items. The Factory’s Annual Turn Over is Rupees 400 to 450 Crores with a Production capacity of 20 to 25 Lakhs Garments per annum.

According to a Press Release, OCF Avadi is maintaining Strict adherence to quality standards imbibed in every process is the hallmark of our organization. OCFAV is a QME, EMS,
EnMS and OHSMS certified organization and self sustained Laboratory with NABL accreditation. OCFAV is known for its emphasis on high quality raw material, process management, stringent quality controls and high quality finished goods.

On 28.01.2025, OCF Avadi under the aegis of Troop Comforts Limited has entered into one more landmark milestone by flagging off the first export order to the Republic of Suriname, 4500 nos (1.71 Crore value) Military Uniforms are gifted to the Republic of Suriname against an export order under Defence Diplomacy Fund as per the directives of MoD, Government of India to strengthen the relationship.

B.S. Reddy, IOFS General Manager OCF Avadi accompanied by Additional General Managers D Kuhan, IOFS, Raj Kishore, IOFS, P Senthil Kumar, IOFS waved off green flag to start the export consignment truck in the presence of M Jaya Sing, PRO (Defence) Chennai and other officers and employees of OCF Avadi.

www.indianpsu.com asked for the views of C. Srikumar, General Secretary of All India Defence Employee Federation, who was a former employee of OCF Avadi, about the OCF Avadi once branded as Low Technology Factory as now started exporting Garments. He responded that in
India out of the 41 Ordnance Factories, 05 Ordnance Factories are dedicated Factories for manufacturing all types of Troop Comfort Items including Protective Dresses to the Armed Forces, Parachutes of all types, Army Tents, Specialized Boots etc.,., said “The OCF Shahjahanpur and OEF Kanpur are more than a century old Factories. However, vested interested persons and agencies within the Army and Outside the Army used to under estimate the Ordnance Clothing Factories and attempted to brand these Factories as Low Technology Factories without any understanding of the specifications and technology involved in manufacturing the Troop Comfort Items. In fact, strict parameters have to be maintained to ensure the Quality of the basic Textiles required for the protective uniforms and all the other garnitures required for the products. The workers are basically trained and qualified under the Apprentice Act 1961 and such trained work force are available only in the Ordnance Factories. Considering the competition in the Garment Industry the OCF Avadi as established its own Research & Development Unit and have developed various high-tech items like Bullet Proof Jacket, Bullet Proof Vest, Ballistic Helmets, Armoring of Vehicles etc.,. During the Covid-19 pandemic when the whole Country was on Lock down it was the OCF
Avadi like many other Ordnance Factories which came to the rescue of the Nation for Manufacturing and Supplying Medical Mask, Protective Coveralls, Sanitizer etc., required for the Health Care Work force and Sanitary Work force. Here I recollect the contents of an appreciations letter dated.20.02.2016 given by the then the Indian Army’s Master General of Ordnance Lt. Gen Ravi Thodge which has stated that “ The Uniforms, though stitched at a very short notice came in for appreciation by all the dignitaries who were present at the COAS At Home Function which included the Hon’ble President of India. The PM, The RM and a host of others dignitaries. As the MGO, my chest swelled with pride to see these soldiers so smartly attired in the Combat dress which were stitched in OCF Avadi. The quality control process in terms of the cloth as well as garmenting is excellent”.

Unfortunately, after corporatizing the Ordnance Factories by the Government, the Factory is struggling to survive. Recruitment is completely stopped and that will have serious implication on the future existence of the Factory since over a period of time there will be dearth of trained and skilled man power. This is not in the interest of the Armed Forces. Since, OCF Avadi is maintaining the highest quality standard, the Defence Ministry has asked OCF Avadi to manufacture and supply specially designed Uniform as a good will gift to the Army of Suriname, a country in Northern South America. The work forces of OCF Avadi have completed the task in a time bound manner despite the various difficulties faced by them as an after effect of Corporatisation.

He urged the Government of India that, the Government should realize that Ordnance Factories are not meant for making profit and they are to be preserved and maintained as War reserved to meet any emergent situation which the country will facing at any point of time. Therefore, considering this fact this most strategic Industry may be brought back to the Government as OFB and should be maintained, developed and expanded in the interest of the Security of the Country. He concluded that he feels proud being an ex-employee of OCF Avadi and even today associated with the Trade Union of that Factory that OCF Avadi has achieved this milestone and congratulate Team OCF Avadi for coming in the World Export Map.