Indian Army begins implementation of RFID tagging of its ammunition stock

New Delhi: In a significant move, the Indian Army has begun implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging of its ammunition stock. The first consignment of RFID tagged ammunition, comprising three lots of 5.56mm ammunition was despatched from Ammunition Factory, Khadki to Central Ammunition Depot, Pulgaon yesterday. The event was flagged off by the Director-General Ordnance Services.

As per the Ministry of Defence, the RFID implementation has been steered by the Ordnance Services Directorate of the Indian Army, in conjunction with Pune-based Munitions India Limited, the newly created Defence PSU formed post corporatisation of the Ordnance Factories Board. Also, the new process and technology is expected to make ammunition storage and use by soldiers safer and provide enhanced satisfaction to the field Army.

Radio Frequency Identification refers to a wireless system that comprises of two components – tags and readers. While the reader has one or more antennas that emit radio waves and receive signals back from the RFID tag, tags use radio waves to communicate their identity and other information to nearby readers which can be either passive or active. Passive RFID tags are powered by the reader and do not have a battery, whereas active RFID tags are powered by batteries.

The RFID tagging is claimed to be as per the global standards in consultation with GS-1 India.

According to the ministry, the implementation of the RFID solution for ammunition asset visibility will transform the management of ammunition and bring in a quantum jump in ammunition lot management and tracking capability.

The endeavour will make ammunition storage and use by soldiers safer and provide enhanced satisfaction to the field Army. The implementation will lead to increased efficiency in all technical activities carried out in ammunition depots and reduce inventory carrying costs, it added.

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