New Delhi: E. R. Sheikh, a modernisation buff in the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), today took over as the first Director General of the Ordnance Directorate (Coordination and Services), an institution created as the successor to the disbanded OFB and following the corporatisation of its factories into seven entities in recent months.

An Indian Ordnance Factory Service (IOFS) officer of the 1984 batch, Sheikh has been a spearhead of modernisation in the ordnance factories. 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.

As Deputy Director General (DDG) for Propellants and Explosives, he oversaw several plant modernisation projects in explosive factories that led to enhancement in productivity, quality and safety. He also led the successful indigenous development of Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) for artillery ammunition.

A graduate of Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, he has served in various ordnance factories. He was General Manager of the Ordnance Factory Itarsi earlier. He has also served as a member of various defence delegations to foreign countries as a representative of the OFB and the Ministry of Defence.

He is also the recipient of the Ayudh Ratna Award 2020, conferred on him in recognition of his exemplary services to the organisation.

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