Algeria, which is among the world’s top 30 military budgets, announced last October that its 2023 budget would be $22.7 billion (€23.3 million), a 130% increase from this year.
The war of budgets largely to the benefit of Algiers
This budget, which accounts for more than 15% of Algeria’s PIB, compared to 5.5% in 2022, is already included in the Finance Law for 2023 and will be presented to the Algerian parliament at the end of November without any previous discussion or debate. It will be approved. Just like diplomacy. Since 2004, Algeria’s military budget has averaged about $10 billion annually. Therefore, the government of Old Man Capo of Algiers decided to more than double the budget of the army in one budget.
This amount is the first time he has exceeded 5 billion to finance military operations outside Algeria after a 2020 constitutional amendment “authorized” the deployment of units of the National People’s Army (ANP). rice field. Algeria also pledged US$8.5 billion to fund new acquisitions from international suppliers.
Algerian army under threat of obsolescence
This budget, which accounts for more than 15% of Algeria’s PIB, compared to 5.5% in 2022, is already included in the Finance Law for 2023 and will be presented to the Algerian parliament at the end of November without any previous discussion or debate. It will be approved. Just like diplomacy. Since 2004, Algeria’s military budget has averaged about $10 billion annually. Therefore, the government of Old Man Capo of Algiers decided to more than double the budget of the army in one budget.
This amount is the first time that has exceeded 5 billion to finance military operations outside Algeria after a 2020 constitutional amendment “authorized” the deployment of units of the National People’s Army (ANP). rice field. Algeria also pledged US$8.5 billion to fund new acquisitions from international suppliers.
Morocco compensates for quantity with quality
Morocco will allocate $5.2 billion to the Ministry of Defense in its 2023 budget proposal. This represents a 3.6% increase compared to this year. However, this increase in Morocco’s military budget is far from the increases announced by Algeria, which is more than four times her Moroccan military budget, which increased her military budget by 30% in 2020. The Ministry of Defense will become the second largest consumer ministry in the UK’s general budget in the fiscal year 2023, behind the Ministry of National Education, Pre-primary Education and Sport.
The 2023 budget for the Moroccan Ministry of Defense, included in the general budget submitted to the House of Commons, is just over $11 billion. This amount is intended for weapons purchases and repairs and takes into account the previous year’s allocations and surpluses, which do not represent weapons expenditure. This will allow the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) to continue its modernization program. In 2022, Morocco spent $4.8 billion on armaments (equivalent to 4% of GDP). Far from Algerian predictions.
Spain’s concern
Spain, sceptical of this arms race between its two neighbours, is appalled to see that Algeria is spending almost double what the Sánchez government has allocated for its army (€12.9 million). According to Global Firepower 2020 data, the Algerian Air Force operates approximately 5,000 aircraft from across Russia, including interceptors, trainers, military transports, special mission aircraft and air-to-air tankers. Since its independence in 1962, Algiers has strengthened its ties with the Soviet Union (URSS), while Morocco has always been under American influence.
Spanish newspaper La Razon published in its electronic edition that Algiers looks concerned about the increase in Forces Royal’s Air (FRA) power and recently purchased 14 Su-57 fighters at Russian manufacturer sukho in this regard. He said he signed the contract. He also signed a contract to purchase 14 Su-34 bombers and 14 of his Su-35 aircraft.
The Algerian Air Forces also have 268 helicopters, including 45 attack helicopters. Its army consists of 2,024 tanks, 7,000 armoured vehicles, 324 self-propelled guns, 396 field guns, and 300 rocket launchers. The Algerian Navy has 201 naval units, including 8 frigates, 10 corvettes, 8 submarines, 65 patrol boats and 2 minesweepers.
Morocco under the domes of the US and Israel
As for Morocco, the development of the defence industry is a clear objective. Israel is already working to make some of its most advanced systems available in Morocco. The Guardianship of Defense roadmap (2021) included 3 Heron ISR, 150 small Blue Bird drones (IAI), and possibly a Hermes 900 (5 units) for surveillance drones.
Also, Harop-2 suicide drones and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Barak-MX aviation and missiles, are equipped with radar support and various launch vehicles for optimal coverage of fighters, helicopters, drones and cruises. It also includes drones such as defence systems. The missile, surface-to-air missile, surface-to-surface missile. Other weapons Morocco should acquire include the Spike NLOS precision missile and Delilah cruise missiles from Israel Military Industries (IMI), which currently manufactures the Elbit system.