The Algerian Army, officially called the National People’s Army (ANP), is the heir to the National Liberation Army (ALN) against the French colonization of Algeria. Starting from the people, the Algerian army has continued to modernize over the years to make Algeria today the second largest military power in Africa and the 26th in the world.
In July 1962, with the outcome of the Algerian War against the French occupiers, around 50,000 educated, highly disciplined soldiers and leaders who formed the battalions of the National Liberation Army (ALN) formed the National People’s Army (ANP), the military power of Algeria, responsible for the Defense of the country.
The Algerian Armed Forces are the armed forces of the Algerian Republic, responsible for the defense of the country’s territory and the protection of national interests. They are subordinate to the Ministry of Defense and the President of the Republic, who, according to the constitution, is the Minister of Defense and Supreme Leader of the Armed Forces.
Like many other armed forces around the world, the Algerian Army consists of four main forces:
- land forces;
- Air force;
- naval forces;
- Territorial Air Defense Forces.
In addition to these four main armed forces:
- National Gendarmerie;
- Republican Guard.
Algeria is territorially divided into 6 Military Regions (MR).
- 1. Military region in Blida,
- 2. Military region in Oran,
- 3. Milestone region in Béchar,
- 4. Military Region in Ouargla,
- 5. Military region in Constantine,
- 6. Military region in Tamanrasset.
Each of these military regions has an operational headquarters. Each regional command is responsible for managing military infrastructure, logistics, housing and conscript training. The latter are predominantly soldiers who are called up as part of military service.
The Algerian army in numbers
The strength of the Algerian army, according to Global Fire Power for 2023, is 465,000 men, including 130,000 active, 135,000 reservists and 200,000 paramilitaries. The site specializing in defense issues is 255,000 men, that of the air force 14,000 and the Algerian naval force 30,000 men.
Algerian land forces
According to the same source, the Algerian land forces have 2,196 tanks in terms of equipment. Which puts the Algerian land army at the forefront 14th in the world for these weapons. Algeria has 6,461 armored vehicles, putting it at the top 16th in the world. In terms of the strength of self-propelled artillery, Algeria is in first place with 450 guns of this type 27th in the world. In terms of rocket launcher performance, Algeria has 334 rocket launchers, ranking first 17th in the world.
Algerian naval forces
The Algerian naval forces are also among the most powerful in the world. Algeria, which has 201 warships and submarines, is in the ranking 26th in the world of 145 countries included in the Global Fire Power ranking. At the African level, Algeria is manned notably by 5 frigates, 6 corvettes, 6 submarines and 25 patrol boats 2nd place behind Egypt, which ranks 14th in the world.
Algerian Air Force
When it comes to air power, Algeria is the largest power in Africa, according to an article published in April 2021 by the American magazine Military Watch, which specializes in military issues. The Algerian Air Force was in first place with 547 military aircraft and 273 helicopters 1st place in Africa off Morocco, Egypt and Angola.
Here is the budget for the Algerian army
Algeria is also one of the countries that spend the most on weapons on the African continent. In the last 10 years no less than 103 billion dollars were assigned to the Algerian army. According to a report published in April 2022 by the International Peace Research Institute in Stockholm (SIPRI), in 2021 Algeria was the only African country to appear in the ranking of the 40 highest arms spending countries in the world.
According to the same report, Algeria’s military expenditure was $100,000 $9.1 billion in 2021or 5.6% of gross domestic product (GDP). Algeria would have done it then The fourth largest military budget in the world measured by share of GDP. From 2012 to 2021, Algeria’s defense budget increased by 16%. In 2022, the national defense budget was 1300 billion dinarseither $9.3 billion.
The Algerian army’s budget reached more than $22 billion in 2023
In 2023, Algeria decided to provide more funding 22 billion dollars for defense, a budget that has more than doubled compared to 2022, according to the Finance Law 2023 adopted by the National People’s Assembly (APN) on November 22, 2022. This is the largest budget for the army in Algeria’s history.
This unprecedented increase in the Algerian army’s budget comes against a backdrop of high tensions with Morocco. A country with which Algeria broke off diplomatic relations (in August 2021) after accusing the Moroccan authorities of hostile actions, including supporting separatists and military and security rapprochement with Israel. The issue of Western Sahara is also causing tensions between the heads of state and government of both countries.
This shows the power of the Algerian army in Africa and the world
Figures that make Algeria one of the largest military powers in Africa, but also in the world. In fact, according to the Global Fire Power ranking for 2023, Algeria is one of the world’s military powers. According to this ranking, Algeria far surpasses Morocco and is in first place 26th place in the worlddirectly behind Spain (21st), Saudi Arabia (22nd) and Germany (25th).
Morocco is only in 61st place. Algeria also outperforms other North African countries such as Libya and Tunisia, which are ranked 80th and 73rd respectively. On the African continent, Algeria reaches the 2nd placebehind Egypt, which is the world’s 14th military power.
