North Africa is on a knife's edge... Algeria and Morocco are injecting $31.7 billion

Written by Omnia Hassan:

In a scene reflecting profound shifts in the security environment of the north  AfricaAlgeria and Morocco continue to increase the pace of military spending at an accelerating rate, in an arms race that has become one of the most prominent features of the region in recent years.

According to recent data, the two countries spent a total of $31.7 billion on defense in 2025, as each sought to strengthen its military capabilities and modernize its air and land arsenal.

Algeria leads Africa with the largest defense budget.

Algeria accounted for the largest share of this spending, after raising its military budget to $25.4 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year.

This makes it the country with the largest defense budget in Africa, with military spending representing about 8.8% of the country’s GDP.

This military expansion comes within the framework of an Algerian strategy aimed at strengthening its deterrent capabilities in the face of surrounding security challenges, especially with the continued instability in Libya and the African Sahel region, in addition to concerns related to foreign interventions in the region.

Advanced Russian fighter jets boost Algerian air power

As part of its military modernization plans, Algeria received its first Russian Su-34M fighter jets, becoming the first foreign country to operate this advanced model.

Defense reports also indicate that Algeria has contracted for dozens of modern Russian fighter jets, including fifth-generation Su-35 and Su-57 aircraft, although some deliveries have been affected by the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war and Western sanctions.

The Algerian arsenal already includes a large fleet of Su-30 and MiG-29 fighter jets, along with advanced Russian air defense systems, tanks, and submarines.

Morocco is banking on American military technology.

In contrast, Morocco continued to implement a broad modernization program for its armed forces, increasing its defense budget to $6.3 billion, a rise of 6.61 TP3T. This program focuses on strengthening the defense partnership with the United States and developing the capabilities of its air force.

Morocco currently operates American F-16 fighter jets and is pursuing plans to expand its fleet of combat aircraft and upgrade existing models to more advanced standards. It has also acquired precision missile systems and Apache attack helicopters, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities.

Different motives and constant competition

Despite the similarity in the arms buildup between the two countries, their motives differ. Morocco places the Western Sahara issue at the forefront of its security priorities, while Algeria focuses on the repercussions of the regional crises surrounding it, especially in Libya and the African Sahel.

While Algeria relies on oil and gas revenues to finance its massive military spending, Morocco depends on a more diversified economy encompassing industry, tourism, agriculture, and phosphates. Given this dynamic, the arms race between the two neighbors appears poised to escalate further, amidst an increasingly complex regional environment characterized by competition for influence and power.