Algeria is a leading military power in the region and has its force oriented toward its western (Morocco) and eastern (Libya) borders. Its primary military supplier has been the former Soviet Union, which has sold various types of sophisticated equipment under military trade agreements, and China. Algeria has attempted, in recent years, to diversify its sources of military material. Military forces are supplemented by a 45,000-member gendarmerie or rural police force under the control of the president and 30,000-member Sureté National or Metropolitan police force under the Ministry of the Interior.
Military
Military branches: National Popular Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Air Defense, National Gendarmerie
Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 9,243,884 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 5,646,418 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 412,545 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.87 billion (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.1% (FY99)
Reference
Much of the material in this article comes from the CIA World Factbook 2003 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website.