Algeria Military Strength 2026

How strong is Algeria's military in 2026?

Algeria outspends every other African state. The 2026 budget gives the defence ministry about DZD 3,208bn, close to $25bn and the largest allocation of any ministry. That is about 9 per cent of GDP on Silent Dossier's estimate, and it depends on hydrocarbon income at a time of a budget deficit of roughly $40bn.

Silent Dossier estimates around 135,000 active personnel, 150,000 reservists and roughly 170,000 gendarmes and border guards. The army operates an estimated 1,400 to 1,500 main battle tanks, led by 508 to 600 T-90SA. BM-30 Smerch and Chinese PHL-03 launchers supply heavy rocket fire.

Does Algeria have stealth fighters?

Probably, in small numbers. Russia announced in November 2025 that two Su-57E had gone to an unnamed foreign customer, and unverified footage from February 2026 appears to show the type near Oum El Bouaghi. Silent Dossier estimates two to six in service. Algeria has never confirmed the purchase, and the reported order of 12 to 14 aircraft is unverified.

The rest of the fighter fleet is better documented. An estimated 58 to 75 Su-30MKA form the backbone, alongside 14 MiG-29M/M2 delivered from 2020 and Su-35SE seen at Oum El Bouaghi in March 2025. The first Su-34ME strike jets appeared in Algerian markings in mid-2026 and will replace the ageing Su-24 fleet. Six Il-78 tankers extend their range, and 42 Mi-28NE attack helicopters support the army.

How capable is the Algerian navy?

Its sharpest edge is underwater. Six Kilo submarines, four of them improved Project 636M boats, are reported to carry Club-S land attack cruise missiles. Morocco has no submarines at all. On the surface, two German MEKO A-200AN frigates, three Chinese C28A corvettes and an Italian designed landing ship make a modern but compact fleet. Only one of six Chinese Type 056 corvettes ordered in 2020 has arrived, and the rest are planned for local construction.

What air defence and missiles does Algeria have?

Six to eight S-300PMU2 batteries anchor a dense Russian network, with Pantsir systems for short range cover. Reports of S-400 and S-350 deliveries rest on thin imagery and remain rumour. The Iskander-E, first shown at the November 2024 parade, reaches an estimated 500 km, though Algeria's stock is unknown. Armed drones come from China, including six to twelve CH-5 Rainbows, with Turkish Anka-S drones reportedly ordered in 2023.

What are Algeria's weaknesses?

One supplier. More than 70 per cent of the arsenal is Russian, and deliveries have slowed as Russian factories serve their own forces first and buyers weigh US sanctions risk. Domestic industry assembles vehicles and small arms but builds no major platforms. Algeria has not fought a war against another state since 1963, so training that is good by regional standards has never been tested against an equal.

Egypt stays ahead on the Silent Dossier index, with a much larger army and navy. Within the Maghreb, Algeria leads Morocco on tanks, submarines, air defence and fighters. If Russian supply falters, it has no second source of spares.