Algerian army chief to acquire more arms from China
Algeria’s army chief went on a visit to China in an attempt to acquire more weapons from the global superpower, reports Algeria Press Service (APS).
General Saïd Chanegriha’s visit on November 12 was seen as a boost to military relations with China in what was a move away from Russia, who Algeria are highly dependent on militarily due to them being the North African country’s main arms supplier.
Sanction-hit Russia has seen more isolation as a result of the invasion of Ukraine which started in February 2022 and an international arrest warrant was handed to controversial long-serving head of state Vladimir Putin back in March.
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It was reported that Chanegriha was welcomed by General Liu Zhenli, the Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing.
The Algerian government’s budget accounts for around $98 billion of which almost 25% is spent on defence ($22 billion). The current state budget is the highest it’s ever been.
It has been reported that Algeria’s military has perceived the quality of various Russian military equipment, more specifically drones, to be unsatisfactory therefore they have turned their attention to Iran for the access of the military air devices.
APS