Army Ordnance Corps

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ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS

Shastra Se Shakti

The Army Ordnance Corps, the materials manager of the Indian Army, has a glorious heritage spanning over two centuries dating back to 1775 AD. With the pursuit of professional perfection as its objective, the Corps is responsible for the procurement, manufacture, supply of all munitions of war, clothing, equipment and all general stores except fuel and rations. This 'behind-the-scene' organisation has to do plenty of spade work before the final product - the bullet that kills the enemy and other most essential equipment reaches the front line soldier. Munitions of war are now established by the various depots and factories established all over India. When ready for use, these are then transferred to the various holding depots. A cross-section of the items kept there would be, heavy machinery of all types, wireless equipment and spares, engines and their spare parts, tent age, all kinds of clothing and equipment, besides a host of other items whose necessity and value can only appreciated by the fighting soldier at the front lines. The logistics function of the Corps involves the mechanics of provisioning and procuring of all stores required to raise and maintain an efficient and effective fighting Army.

The aim is to make available all kinds of stores to all units of the Army at the right time, in right quantity, at the right place and right cost. The inventory range covers every conceivable requirement of the soldier from clothing to weapons, from a needle to a tank and also all munitions except fuel, fodder and medicines. The inventory management functions involve provisioning, procurement, receipt, accounting, storage, issue, transportation and disposal of all clothing, equipment, weapons, vehicles and ammunition. The Corps is also responsible for ammunition management for the complete range of munitions from a pistol bullet to a missile. In addition, they are also responsible for neutralising Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and training in handling IEDs, major & minor repair of all munitions and missiles, static and dynamic proof of ammunition and explosives, disposal & demolition of unserviceable/dangerous munitions and explosives. The Corps procures it wide range of stores mainly from ordnance factories and Public Sector Undertakings. However it taps the civil industry and market for a large range of low tech general stores, clothing and automobile spare parts.

Army Ordnance Corps Centre

The AOC Centre is responsible for training of recruits and other ranks of the Army Ordnance Corps. Apart from imparting military training, training in ancillary trades like textile repair, equipment repair, saddlery, carpentry, painting, tailoring and driving is also imparted.