AWEIL was established in 2021 as part of the restructuring and corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board,[2] which was divided into seven different Public Sector Undertakings.

[3][4][5] AWEIL consists of the following factories of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board:[6] AWEIL has an ownership stake in Indo-Russia Rifles alongside Kalashnikov Concern and Rosoboronexport.

The institute is engaged in imparting and upgrading technical, and managerial skills.

The institute was established in 1920 under Lt. Col. L. De Lenfestey, then Superintendent of the Rifle Factory, Ishapore, during British rule.

OFIL Ishapore received the prestigious Golden Peacock National Training Award from the Institute of Directors in 1997 and 2005, and was the runner-up in 2002.