The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has reported that
Algeria accounted for 35 percent of weapons imports in Africa. SIPRI
identified the three leading weapons importers in Africa as Algeria, South
Africa and Sudan.
"During the period 2004-2008, Algeria and South Africa were the two
largest arms importers in Africa, accounting for 35 percent and 27 percent,
respectively, of the continent's imports," SIPRI said.
Algeria was also said to have received most of its order of Su-30MK
fighter-jets. SIPRI said Algeria has acquired 18 out of 28 Sukhois.
The next stage of the Russian military modernization project would focus
on naval platforms. Algeria has ordered two Project 636 Kilo-class
submarines from Moscow.
Algeria's neighbor, Morocco, has also launched a military modernization
program. In 2008, SIPRI said, Rabat ordered 24 F-16C multi-role fighters,
one FREMM naval frigate from France and three smaller SIGMA-90 frigates from
the Netherlands.
