The Stockholm Institute: Morocco Surpasses Algeria in Arms Imports and Strengthens Its Defense Capabilities in North Africa
The annual report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlights a significant shift in the arms landscape of North Africa, confirming that Morocco has topped the list of military importers in the region in recent years, surpassing its neighbor Algeria, which has recorded a notable decline in its imports.
According to the data, Morocco’s arms imports increased by 12 percent between the periods of 2016–2020 and 2021–2025, ranking it 28th globally among major arms importers. Morocco’s military modernization relies on a network of strategic partners, led by the United States, which accounts for around 60 percent of its total imports. Israel has emerged as a significant partner, contributing approximately 24 percent, followed by France at around 10 percent.
The report emphasizes that Morocco continues to enhance its defense capabilities through pending orders with the United States and Spain, solidifying its position in the region and ensuring a qualitative advantage in advanced Western and Israeli military technology.
In contrast, official data indicates that Algeria’s arms imports have declined by up to 78 percent, placing it 33rd globally. However, the report notes the ambiguity surrounding these figures due to Algeria’s policy of secrecy concerning its deals, along with undisclosed contracts with Russia, which may indicate that its actual spending is higher than what the statistics suggest.
A comparison of the strategies between the two countries reveals a clear divergence: Morocco is moving towards modern Western and Israeli military technology, while Algeria continues to rely on Russian and Chinese systems, maintaining limited engagement with European military industry.
The report concludes that the ongoing tension between Morocco and Algeria remains one of the main drivers of the arms race in the region, making North Africa one of the most active areas on the continent in the global arms market, with Morocco serving as a clear example of effectively modernizing its military arsenal with a well-considered strategic vision.
