Algeria Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 23rd
MPR SCORE: 1017
MPR Index: 0.4548 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.5167 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +1.495 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Algeria ranks 23rd in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). As the most powerful military in North Africa, Algeria’s defense strategy centers on territorial defense, counterterrorism, and the protection of critical energy infrastructure. With a large and heavily armed military backed by Russian-supplied platforms, Algeria plays a central role in securing the Maghreb, Sahel, and Mediterranean frontier.
Algeria maintains a non-aligned doctrine, avoiding formal alliances like NATO while strengthening ties with partners such as Russia and China. Its posture emphasizes self-sufficiency, strategic depth, and a readiness to project force within its immediate region.
Strengths: Heavily Armed Ground Forces and Regional Reach
1. Large, Mechanized Army with Heavy Armor
Algeria fields one of Africa’s largest armies, including:
Over 2,000 main battle tanks, such as T-90SA, T-72M1, and T-62 variants
Large fleets of BMP-1/2 IFVs, BTR-series APCs, and self-propelled artillery
Ground forces are structured for border defense, internal stability, and rapid mechanized deployment.
2. Advanced Air Defense and Strike Capabilities
Algeria operates a layered air defense network including:
S-300PMU2, Pantsir-S1, and Tor-M1 missile systems
Long-range early warning radars and SAM batteries
Its air force fields:
Su-30MKA, MiG-29M/M2, and Su-24 strike aircraft
Il-78 tankers, Yak-130 trainers, and Mi-28 attack helicopters
3. Defense of Energy Infrastructure and Border Zones
Algeria’s military doctrine prioritizes the protection of:
Saharan oil and gas facilities
Border regions with Libya, Mali, and Niger, which face instability and cross-border militant activity
The Gendarmerie and Special Intervention Groups play key roles in domestic counterterrorism and strategic facility defense
4. Strategic Autonomy and Russian Alignment
Algeria imports most major systems from Russia, ensuring consistency and depth in military doctrine and platform integration
It invests heavily in training, logistics, and air defense coordination, allowing for non-Western strategic independence
Why Algeria Is Ranked 23rd
Algeria combines large-scale firepower with regional autonomy, but remains limited in global power projection, naval reach, and expeditionary capability.
1. Limited Naval and Expeditionary Power
Algeria’s navy, though modernizing, lacks blue-water reach
It operates:
MEKO A-200 frigates, Kilo-class submarines, and corvettes
However, it is not configured for distant power projection or sustained maritime operations
2. Lack of Strategic Strike or Airlift Capacity
Algeria does not possess:
Ballistic missiles
Strategic bombers
A significant airlift or global logistics network
Operations are regionally bounded and rely on static defense infrastructure
3. Procurement Dependency and Budget Sensitivity
Algeria is vulnerable to oil price volatility, which can affect defense spending
Its reliance on foreign suppliers, especially Russia, creates potential risks amid shifting global alliances and sanctions
Conclusion
Algeria maintains one of the most heavily armed and regionally autonomous militaries in Africa. With a strong focus on land warfare, air defense, and energy infrastructure protection, it acts as a strategic anchor in the Maghreb and Sahel.
Under the MPR framework—where size, strategic self-reliance, and combat readiness are weighed—Algeria ranks 23rd due to its heavy ground forces and modern air assets, despite limited global mobility and naval reach. It remains a dominant force in its region, but not a global power.
Military Strength and Force Projection:
Active Military Personnel: 130,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 150,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 180,000 (Gendarmerie, Border Guards)
Army Personnel: 100,000
Navy Personnel: 14,000
Air Force Personnel: 16,000
Ground Forces:
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 2,000+ (T-90, T-72)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 3,000+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 1,000+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 200+
Air Force:
Combat Aircraft: 100+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 150+
Transport Aircraft: 40+
Aircraft Breakdown:
Su-30 Fighter Jets: 58
MiG-29: 20
C-130 Hercules: 10 (transport)
Naval Forces:
Submarines: 8 (Kilo-class)
Frigates: 7
Corvettes: 6
Fast Attack Craft: 10+
Amphibious Assault Ships: 2
Missile Capabilities:
Algeria possesses advanced missile systems, primarily acquired from Russia.
Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs): S-300, Pantsir-S1
Anti-Ship Missiles: Kh-35, C-802
Strategic Partnerships:
Algeria has strong defense ties with Russia and China, acquiring advanced military equipment from these nations. Algeria’s focus on self-reliance in defense production is growing, with investments in local arms manufacturing.
Military History & Combat Experience
Algeria’s military history is shaped by colonial resistance, anti-colonial warfare, and decades of focus on internal stability and border defense. Though it has not fought a conventional war in decades, Algeria’s armed forces were forged in guerrilla conflict and hardened by prolonged counterinsurgency operations in both rural and urban environments.
Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962): Algeria fought a brutal guerrilla war against French colonial rule, led by the National Liberation Front (FLN). The war involved widespread civilian targeting, urban bombings, and rural ambushes, with Algeria’s future military leadership emerging from FLN’s armed wing (ALN). The experience laid the foundation for a doctrine centered on asymmetry, resilience, and counter-colonial warfare.
Sand War with Morocco (1963): Soon after independence, Algeria clashed with Morocco in a short but intense conflict over border disputes in the Tindouf region. The war revealed early weaknesses in Algeria’s conventional capabilities but reinforced its commitment to territorial sovereignty and regional defense posture.
Support for Liberation Movements (1970s–1980s): Algeria provided training, weapons, and sanctuary to various African liberation movements, including the ANC, SWAPO, and POLISARIO Front, projecting soft military influence across southern and western Africa. This established Algeria as a hub for anti-imperial military activism.
Internal Islamist Insurgency (1991–2002): Following cancelled elections, Algeria descended into a civil war against Islamist militias such as the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). The conflict involved urban combat, massacres, and counterterror raids. The army employed a ruthless internal security doctrine that emphasized air-ground coordination, paramilitary force, and informant networks.
Sahel and Border Security Operations (2010s–Present): Algeria has engaged in counterterrorism missions along its southern borders, targeting Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and related militants. It has reinforced its presence near Libya, Mali, and Niger, deploying drones, elite units, and surveillance aircraft to prevent regional spillover.
Algeria’s military experience is defined by guerrilla heritage, internal counterinsurgency, and an enduring focus on territorial defense. While it has not participated in foreign wars recently, the Algerian People’s National Army remains one of the most battle-hardened and self-sufficient military forces in Africa, shaped by civil conflict and border vigilance.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~45.9 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~20.8 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 2,381,741 km² (largest country in Africa)
Land Boundaries: 6,734 km
Bordering Countries: Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia, Western Sahara
Coastline: 998 km (Mediterranean Sea)
Climate: Arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers along the coast; drier inland
Terrain: High plateaus and desert; Tell Atlas and Saharan Atlas mountain ranges; vast Sahara desert interior
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc, helium
Proven Oil Reserves: ~12.2 billion barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~4.5 trillion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$23.5 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~6.7%
GDP (PPP): ~$610 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$13,300
External Debt: ~$45 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Steadily increasing; largest defense budget in Africa; emphasis on strategic self-reliance
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for males (12–18 months active duty); large standing army
Primary Defense Focus: Territorial defense, border security, counterterrorism, strategic deterrence against Morocco and Sahel instability
Military Industry Base: Expanding; includes domestic arms assembly, maintenance, and licensed production with Russian and Chinese support
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Growing; under military intelligence and national security agencies
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: 6 Regional Military Districts (1st to 6th Military Regions); focus on border and counterinsurgency zones
Missile Inventory Highlights: Iskander-E (Russian), Scud derivatives, Chinese SY-400, S-300 and S-400 SAM systems
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Structured reserve; 30–60 day call-up window for trained personnel
Reservist Force Size: Estimated ~300,000–400,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Led by ASAL (Algerian Space Agency); satellites include AlSat-1B and AlSat-2A/B
Military Satellite Inventory: Limited; focused on earth observation and remote sensing
Intelligence Infrastructure: DRS (Intelligence and Security Department); subordinate to Ministry of National Defense
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Cooperation with Russia, China, regional Sahel states, limited EU engagement
Airports (Total): ~140 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: Blida AB, Boufarik AB, Tamanrasset, Reggane
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~95 vessels
Major Ports: Algiers, Oran, Annaba, Skikda
Naval Infrastructure: Modernizing; includes MEKO A-200 frigates, Kilo-class submarines, and dedicated naval infantry units
Naval Replenishment Capability: Regional; blue-water support limited to coastal and Mediterranean operations
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~4,200 km
Roadways: ~140,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~1.1 million barrels per day
Energy Imports: Net exporter of oil and gas
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Significant; national storage controlled by Sonatrach with ~60–90 day wartime sustainment
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Capable of assembling small arms, armored vehicles (Fuchs-2), and some missile components; dependent on Russian/Chinese platforms
Military Installations (Domestic): Dozens of military bases, airbases, and hardened desert garrisons
Military Installations (Overseas): None officially; influence through Sahel partnerships and arms diplomacy
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None permanent; limited training exchanges with Russia, China
Defense Alliances: Non-aligned; strong bilateral ties with Russia, China, and Iran; African and Arab League cooperation
Strategic Airlift Capability: Operates IL-76, C-130 Hercules, and transport helicopters; moderate regional range
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate; centralized under state control with foreign technical partnerships
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Modest but growing; partnerships with Russia, China, and Iran focused on missiles and EW systems
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Sonatrach (energy), SNTF (rail), ENIEM (manufacturing), SAFEX (logistics), Cosider (construction)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Algiers
Founding Date: July 5, 1962 (independence from France)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic with strong military influence
