Algeria Is The First Importer Of German Weapons Outside The European Union, NATO

Algeria was the largest importer of German arms outside the European Union and NATO in the first half of this year, the German Economy Ministry said on Friday.

German Economy Ministry said in response to a request for a briefing from the parliamentary bloc of the “left” party, as the value of weapons that are imported by Algeria from Germany in the first half of this year is estimated at more than one billion euros.

UAE and Saudi Arabia were among the top 10 importers of German arms, with 189 million euros for UAE and 99 million euros for SA.

Figure was down compared with arms that Algeria bought from Germany in the same period of last year by 4 billion euros.

Indicators show that the army’s share will not fall below $ 10 billion in 2018, which is not affected by the new austerity measures, reflecting the importance that the political leadership in the country attaches to the military institution for the strategic weight that it is involved in maintaining the security and stability of the country.

Algerian Air Force, according to the magazine “Global Fire Power” has 502 pieces, including 89 fighter jets, 99 attack jets and 257 helicopters.

Algeria’s deal with Germany, comes in an attempt to diversify partners in military cooperation and not only traditional suppliers, especially Russia, China, Britain, America, Italy and France, says “Al Arab” magazine that is exported from London.

According to Al-Arab newspaper, analysts say that Algeria’s military approach aimed at achieving strategic superiority in the region, especially in light of its strained relationships with Morocco, and the continued quest to be the first military force in the region and investment in its strategic position in North Africa, and to be the first gate in the area.

Algerian officials are quick to explain that there is a need to protect their borders in light of what is happening in some of the surrounding countries, such as Tunisia and Libya, and also to fight elements of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, as a large number of them are placed in the coast.

Algerian armed forces ranks 24th among the most powerful armies in the world, according to the classification of the magazine “Global Fire Power” that is specialized in defense in its number of last July.

Algerian military forces have 525,000 fighters and 272,000 reserve troops, out of a total of more than 20 million people who are able of being a combatant among Africa’s second-most powerful army, according to the American magazine that is specialized in Defense and Strategic Affairs.