Algeria & The African Arms Race You've (Probably) Never Heard Of - Surging Budgets & Russian Weapons

Sponsored by Ground News: Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/perun Most of the time on this channel, we focus on military developments in Europe or Asia. but the global surge in military spending since 2022 is also playing out in Africa. There, Algeria deserves particular mention, more than doubling expenditure since 2021 to cement it's place (by no small margin) as Africa's most expensive military and one of the most important remaining customers for Russian arms exports. By some estimates, In 2025, Algeria may end up dedicating more of its budget to the military during peacetime, than Russia is during wartime - with reported procurement plans stretching all the way to Russian 5th generation fighters. It's a move that is driving massive fiscal deficits and which raises massive questions, especially in the context of Algeria's comparatively opaque approach to military procurement: What is Algiers planning to spend the money on? Why now? How will the region respond and can the Algerian economy sustain the effort? So, for the first time for a nation study on this channel, welcome to North Africa. Patreon:   / perunau   Reading and Sourcing (partial due to late release): Unless otherwise noted - platform counts are per MB2024 Unless otherwise noted - Economic figures per IMF data) (e.g. https://www.imf.org/external/datamapp... Unemployment figures per ILO estimates (via World Bank Data) https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/... SIPRI -- Preparing for a fourth year of War: Military spending in Russia's budget for 2025 https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/f... Algeria cuts diplomatic relations with Morocco https://www.reuters.com/world/algeria... Reporting on Algerian20226 budget https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/... Russian media on claim Algeria has shown off S-400 systems https://en.sputniknews.africa/2025053... Algerian T-62 based engineering vehicle https://www.armyrecognition.com/focus... Morocco declares national holiday over Western Sahara vote https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/... U.S. Energy Information Administration - Country Analysis Brief: Algeria https://www.eia.gov/international/con... Caveats & Comments: All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I note that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete examination of the topic and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other any other views and/or decisions. Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character. Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on. As noted in the video, I received some benefits from the host organisation (coffee and food) but did not receive compensation for travel costs, accommodation, or time spent at the event. All opinions expressed are solely my own. Timestamps: 00:00:00 — Opening Words 00:01:53 — What Am I Talking About? 00:04:11 — History & Strategic Context 00:16:45 — the Army 00:26:51 — the Navy 00:30:18 — the Airforce 00:35:12 — the Expansion 00:45:53 — the So What 00:48:11 — Sustainability & Dynamics 00:59:02 — What Next? 00:59:40 — Channel Update