Rank #20 · Africa
Algeria spent $25.4B on its military in 2025 — the highest in Africa and 8.8% of GDP, second only to Ukraine globally as a share of the economy. Driven by tensions with Morocco, Sahel instability, and a deep historical relationship with Russian and increasingly Chinese suppliers, Algeria is one of the world's most militarised economies.
Algeria's defence budget is funded primarily from hydrocarbon revenues channelled through the Ministry of National Defence (MDN). Military spending consumed roughly 25% of total government expenditure in 2025 — among the highest globally — and continues to rise on an absolute basis as Algiers builds up to deter Morocco and confront the Sahel security collapse. Major capital outlays include continued integration of T-90SM and BMPT Terminator tank/IFV deliveries from Russia (despite sanctions friction), additional Su-30MKA, MiG-29M2, and reportedly Su-57 air-superiority fighters under negotiation, S-400 air defence integration, MEKO A-200AN frigates from Germany (in service), and submarine deliveries from Russia (Kilo-class follow-ons). Personnel costs and operations on the borders also drive the topline.
The People's National Army (ANP) fields approximately 130,000 active personnel — Land Forces ~110,000, Navy ~6,000, Air Force ~14,000 — supplemented by 187,200 paramilitary troops. The army is one of the most heavily mechanised in Africa, with T-72M1, T-90SA/SM, BMP-1/2/3, BMPT Terminator, and PT-91 tanks alongside large self-propelled artillery, MLRS, and Iskander-E SRBM batteries. The Navy operates Kilo-class submarines (with additional hulls under construction in Russia), MEKO A-200AN frigates from Germany, and Tigr-class corvettes from Russia. The Air Force operates Su-30MKA, MiG-29M2/UB, Su-24M2, and a substantial transport fleet. Algeria pioneered the Sahel S-400 deployment in 2024-2025 and is reportedly negotiating Su-57 procurement.
Algeria has a limited but growing domestic defence industry, structured around state-owned industrial complexes under the Ministry of National Defence (DGSI/EDIC umbrella) and joint ventures with foreign primes. Notable joint ventures include the Daimler/Mercedes-Benz Tigrane facility (light tactical vehicles), German MAN/Ferrostaal projects for trucks, and a partnership with the UAE for armoured vehicles. Algeria does not export significant volumes. Strategic dependence on Russian arms remains the defining industrial feature — over 70% of major weapons platforms are of Russian origin — though deliveries have been complicated by Western sanctions on Russian defence industry post-2022. Algiers has diversified incrementally toward Chinese (CH-4/5 UCAVs, FT-9 munitions) and German (frigates, submarines pending) suppliers.
Algeria does not have active combat deployments but faces a complex set of border security pressures. The contested Western Sahara dispute keeps Algeria-Morocco relations near rupture; Algiers severed diplomatic relations with Rabat in August 2021 and the land border has remained closed. The Sahel security collapse — Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger now under military juntas with Russian Wagner/Africa Corps presence — has driven a major Algerian military build-up along the southern frontier, with reinforced air defences and reconnaissance UAV operations. Libya's continued instability and the Tunisia-Algeria border smuggling and migrant pressures round out the threat picture. Algeria avoided direct involvement in the Israel-Hamas war and the 12-day Iran-Israel war of June 2025.
On 27 April 2026, SIPRI confirmed Algeria's 2025 spend at $25.4B (8.8% GDP), up 11% in real terms. Russian deliveries of advanced platforms continued through 2025 despite sanctions friction, with reports of T-90M deliveries and continuing MiG-29M2 integration. S-400 batteries reached operational status. Algerian-Moroccan tensions over Western Sahara continued with multiple closed-border incidents in 2025. In late 2025 Algeria reportedly placed orders for Chinese CH-5 UCAVs to expand Saharan border surveillance. The Algerian Air Force participated in joint exercises with Russia in 2025 (Desert Eagle series). No major operational deployments outside national territory.
Three drivers: long-running tensions with Morocco over Western Sahara, the Sahel security collapse on the southern border (juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger; Russian Africa Corps presence), and Libya's continued instability. Hydrocarbon revenues fund the build-up — Algeria spent 8.8% of GDP and 25% of government spending on defence in 2025.
Predominantly Russia — over 70% of major weapons platforms are of Russian origin (T-90, Su-30MKA, MiG-29, Kilo submarines, S-400). China (CH-4/5 UCAVs, FT-9), Germany (MEKO A-200AN frigates), and Italy provide secondary supply. Western sanctions on Russia post-2022 have complicated but not halted deliveries.
No. Algeria is a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba). It operates research reactors at Es Salam (Aïn Oussera) and Nur (Draria) under IAEA safeguards.
Around 130,000 active personnel in the People's National Army (ANP), plus an estimated 150,000 mobilizable reservists and 187,200 paramilitary forces (Gendarmerie Nationale, Republican Guard, and security directorate troops with military duties).