Algerian Military kickstarts defence industry

The Algerian Military has laid the foundation for kickstarting its military defense industry in order to design, build and manufacture “complex weapons” systems.

This effort was made possible following a Presidential decree authorizes the Algerian military to create “a Technical System Development Establishment” responsible “for the studies, the design, engineering, and manufacturing of weapons and specific ammunition.”

The decree authorizes the Algerian military to create “a Technical System Development Establishment” responsible “for the studies, the design, engineering, and manufacturing of weapons and specific ammunition.”

Local companies that are expected to participate include the National Office for Explosive Substances (ONEX), ERIS (which manufactures ammunition) and the Algerian Joint Venture for Electronic Systems Manufacturing (SCAFSE).

Current State of the Algerian Defense Industry

Currently, the Algeria military-industrial complex produces armored vehicles, light aircraft, patrol boats as well as corvettes under license.

The Algerian nascent defense industry previously received a boost when on November 2018, the government of Russia and Algeria hinted at the possibility of creating a joint venture in Algeria for the production, extension of service life and disposal of guided and unguided ammunition.

Furthermore, in 2014, Rheinmetall Defense and Algeria entered a USD2.7 billion deal to build the Fuchs-2 APC in Algeria. In May 2015, a total of 980 Fuchs-2 6×6 APC was built by Algeria.

Also, Algeria has announced plans to start producing the Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) under license by the end of 2020.