For the Empire: Total War building, see Ordnance Factory (Empire: Total War).
The Ordnance Factory is a type of ordnance building in Napoleon: Total War.
Description[]
An ordnance factory designs and manufactures guns and their associated equipment.
The large-scale manufacturing of cannons is a monopoly retained by the state, even in a republic. The creation of large guns is also a difficult business, and the state is the only body that can afford to do it. The number of guns available is therefore a measure of national prestige, and the ability to produce guns, rather than buy them from foreigners, is equally prestigious. An ordnance factory allows artiller units to be recruited.
Historically, most ordnance factories began in royal ownerships, giving the monarch a guaranteed access to heavy cannons. These were needed for destroying the castles of recalcitrant barons! Even though politics moved on, the state control of cannon production remained. In Britain, for example, the Master of the Ordnance was often a member of the cabinet, and many royal households across Europe included a post of Master Gunner. Even the Ottoman Turks, who had a strong tradition of heavy artillery production, were careful to make sure the Sublime Porte had master gunners on staff.
Effects[]
In The Peninsular Campaign, the Cannon Foundry line of buildings is absent. Instead, the army line of buildings produces all land military units.