Annual defense budget: $2.97bn 

Defense spending trend: Down 6% in 2002

The National Liberation Army (NLA), equipped mainly with weapons from the former Soviet bloc, is a dominant power in politics. There have been fears that parts of the army would forge an alliance with Muslim militants; the extreme rebel Armed Islamic Group, which has split from the FIS, is led by former army officers. However, the military are also suspected of taking part in reprisal killings of large numbers of Islamists.

ALGERIAN ARMED FORCES

Army
		1000 main battle tanks (320 T-54/55, 330 T-62, 350 T-72)		110,000 personnel
Navy
		2 submarines, 3 frigates, and 25 patrol boats		7500 personnel
Air force
		175 combat aircraft (Su-24, MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29, MiG-21)		10,000 personnel
Nuclear capability
		None

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004