Private firm flooded with orders for Bofors shells

KEW is the only private sector company in North India to produce Bofors shells. Set up in 1963, KEW started as a small unit manufacturing diesel engine parts. "It was in 1975 that we entered into defence production, making a beginning with clip cartridges for a Russiangun. The acceptability of the product helped us bag orders for shells for bigger guns and finally for the prestigious Bofors gun", Juneja told The Indian Express.

“I used to work as a machineman in a compnay before I started this company with an investment of about Rs 30,000. Gradually, with the help of Satish Ahuja and my associates, I developed it to manufacture engineering goods and defence ordnance", added Juneja.

KEW produces various types of artillery shell bodies ranging from 51 mm mortar bombs to Bofors ammunition. It produces ammunition shell bodies for high-explosive as well as illuminating applications.

“We have been serving the Defence forces since 1975. Earlier, we used to make hand grandes but gradually developed the capacity to make all kinds of shells for defence purposes,” said Juneja.

The manufacture of the 155 mm Bofors shell is a regular feature of this company. “Besides, we manufacture 51 mm shell, 81 mm shell, 105 mm shell, 120 mm shells, 125 and 130 mm shells for gunshaving a range of four km to 30 km. We also manufacture high explosives and illumination shells. These illuminate the whole area before destorying the target," said Satish Ahuja.

The manufacture of the 30-inch Bofors shell — about 40 kg in weight — passes through various processes before it can pass the quality control test.