Algerian defense industry

Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
History:

The first talks about building a military industry in Algeria date back to the 1970s, when the authorities began to discuss the need for a local defense industrial sector to retain a fully independent foreign policy in face of pressure from suppliers notably the USSR, but unfortunately those plans were quickly shelved with the new administration achieving only to license build US-made tactical communication radios. Not until the 1980s, that the initiative was reignited and Algeria started building speedboats, small patrol vessels, landing ships and ammunition licensed from Brook Marine Company, with another project in negotiations to assemble armored cars which were the Brazilian EE-9 Cascavel and French VCR-TT2 in addition to a signed MoI in 1983 to assemble Hawk training aircraft with British Aerospace company, but the project was cancelled yet again due to lack of funds after the fall of oil price in 1986. In the early 1990s, and faced with a difficulty with the maintenance and sourcing of ammunition for Its equipment caused by the instability in the newly formed Russian federation and the rest of the eastern block countries coupled with western unofficial embargo during the civil war, Algeria turned to the PRC for help by getting the services of Poly technology and NORINCO to set-up a number of factories in the eastern part of the country. by the late 1990s and early 2000s needing much more sophisticated gear that the Chinese couldn't fulfil due to their technology limitations, the defense ministry begin to invest in the R&D of Signals intelligence and jamming devices, motor and engine components, C3 systems, UAVs and also in the design and retrofitting of aerial assets, land vehicles and some special gadgets with the help of the Army's researchers coupled with national oil company SONATRACH connections and later, collaborated with the south African company ATE. It is not until 2011 onward that the defense sector really saw a real expansion in scale, where It started to meet most of Army's needs when is comes to light weaponry, ammunition, utility and military transport vehicles, clothing and soldiers equipment in addition to being able to provide a factory level servicing for a lot of existing assets including fighter planes.

Structure:

The sector is managed by the ministry of defense through the Department of military manufacturing (département de fabrication militaire) which coordinate between their enterprises, other MoD establishments ,state procurement agencies, foreign partners and with public and private sub-contractors, It manages up to 16 wholly state owned companies which are as follows:

EDST: precise ammunition and missiles
ESRN: naval construction and repair.
ECC: military construction.
PSE: electronics.
ADIE: Aerospace.
ERM Aéro: aircraft restoration and deep repair.
ECA: assembly of fixed-wing aircrafts.
ERMS: manufacture of aircraft spare parts.
ONEX: production of explosive and other chemicals.
ERSV: security and surveillance solutions.
EDIV: dual use vehicles.
EHC: Textile and wearable.
GPIM: mechanical sector.
ECMK: small arms.
ERIS: ammunition.
BLC: repair and retrofit for land equipment.

The directorate manages more than 40 factories that employed more 30.000 civilian across the country with a combined sales figure of about 1.1$ billion in 2020, in addition It has 5 training institutions that offer the same level of training as their foreign counterpart. The department also partners up with various military research centers and sometimes state universities primarily when in comes to design and reverse engineering, R&D institutions includes but not limited to:

URDTD: specialized in radar technology, created in 1994.
URDTT: specialized in communication technology, created in 1997.
URDMA & URDEA: aero mechanical and avionics.
URDM: maritime technologies.
URDST: areas of specialties are unknown, created in 2006.
URDTME: Mechanical and electronic technologies.
URNN: Nano technology, created in 2021 (although managed by Setif university It was setup and funded by MoD).

Cooperation:

Foreign cooperation includes: China with small UAVs, space field, explosives, small and medium arms, weapons systems and more; Germany with armored and dual use vehicles, engines, surveillance and optronic technology; Serbia with medium and big caliber ammunitions; France with thermal and night vision, maritime patrol vessels; UAE with tactical and armored vehicles, UAVs, small arms) in addition to other partnerships with the US, UK, Sweden, Czechia, Ukraine, Poland, Portugal, Norway, Bulgaria, Italy and Spain in areas of communication, textile, aircrafts, soldier protection and gear, opto-electronics, design, upgrade and servicing.

Future plans:

Due to MoD publishing policy and secrecy regarding future projects and procurements, we can only rely on press publications and leaks but it is safe to assume the following projects are either underway or are considered: Helicopter project with Italy; missile, rocket and small arms production, small ship building and aircraft repair and aircraft parts manufacture with Russia, IFV and future soldier system with Germany, MRAP with Ukraine, more vehicle models with UAE, ship building, imagery satellites and MALE drones with China.

There is a plan to setup a big research and development center for defense technologies (similar to Turkish TÜBİTAK SAGE), a request for information (RFI) was issued in 2011, one of the bids proposed a design similar to the Brazilian "Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial", its unknown if the plan is delayed or shelved entirely.
 
Last edited:
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
Rheinmetall Algerie S.P.A

A subsidiary of the German Rheinmetall group, created on March 2011 with GPIM owning (51%), Emirati Aabar (24,5%), Ferrostaal (19,5%) and Rheinmetall which is considered as the technological partner (5%).

The company is to manufacture 1134 Fuchs-2 until 2024 and soon a 500 GTK Boxer order with talks about the Gladius 2.0 system in the future.
546.png

The company's plant located in Constantine province:
00.png

Algerian Fuchs-2 with improved protection (AMAP-M and AMAP-ADS) with Rheinmetall Canada inc. modified Fieldranger Dual RCWS.
C5mhX1wWgAALXYd.jpg

GTK Boxer IFV version during trials.
EPj2gRCU0AAs22b.png
 
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
SCAFSE is an enterprise specializes in electronics and electro-optronic that was established On 07.31.2011 located in Sidi Bel Abbes province. it's a 49/51 joint venture between Algeria represented by PSE (34%) Alfatron Corporation (17%), and Germany with (49%) of the shares to EADS Deutchland, Rohde & Schwarz Zeiss Carl optronic, which became later part of Airbus Defense and Space.
3.png

The plant in Sidi-Bel-Abbas province
50.png
 
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
Mercedes-Benz manufacturing in Algeria started in 2015 with only 2 models and later expended to 8, there are two companies:
  • SAPPL Ruiba (34% SNVI, 17% EDIV, 49% Aabar/Daimler) which specialize in heavy truck
  • AMS-MB Tiaret (34% EDIV, 17% SNVI, 49% Aabar/Daimler) that mainly deals with utility vehicles, with a plant dedicated to engine manufacturing in Constantine province.
4.png
 
Last edited:
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
NIMR Algerie is joint venture created on 13.06.2012 with GPIM owning 51% of shares while NIMR automotive have 49% located in Khenchela province, the factory produces 300 vehicle / year with plans to purchase 3000+ unit by 2025.
c.png
 
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
A signed a memorandum of understanding was signed on 09 September 2016 between the Algerian and Italy to setup a helicopter plant in Setif province. The contract for the creation of a joint venture named "LEONARDO Hélicoptères-SPA/Algérie" was signed on 25 March 2019 between Leonardo helicopter and ADIE on a 49/51% bases. The company hopes to start the assembly by Q12022 although it's unlikely due covid slowing down constructions.

Reportedly, the plant will support, repair and assemble AW169, AW101, AW139 and the latter's military version, the AW149 for military branches and civilian agencies.
555.png

Plant under constraction
E7eg7NOXoAUoRyj.jpg

Plant design
stabilimento-leonardo-algeria-3-768x528-1.jpg
1592839602046.png
1592839513560.png
1592839556882.png
1592839577017.png
 
Last edited:
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
Project with the Serbs to upgrade and expand 3 plant for "small, medium and large caliber ammunition production" in Khenchla, Serianna and Milliana in partnership with ECMK, ERIS and ONEX respectively.

eris.png

1633892944704.png
 
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
AlJazaïr-54 is a locally assembled version of the Yabhon United 40 block 5 drone equipped with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), a terrain avoidance radar, a wide and narrowband NLOS/LOS communications channels, and IFF antennas under the hull. The drone can be armed with Nimrod missile with a range of 60 km and a speed of Mach 0.8 or Adcom Thunder which has a range of 240 km and an MK-81 bomb as a warhead (although the air force mostly just use free falling mortar rounds to target Islamic militant targets).
44.png

AlJazaïr-55 is a local version of the Yabhon Flash 20 mainly used as an ISR platform equipped with a geo-stabilized EO platform and a wide and narrow band LOS data link.
23.png
 
Last edited:
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
E.C.R.N. was created in its current form in 1994 following restructuring of now defunct ONMM. The company is tasked mainly with repair of naval assets but also building ships, it has have a workshop in Annaba province for repair of small vessels, while in Oran they have a Project 13560 floating dock "Aziz" acquired 2004 from Ukraine with a LxWxH of 145x32.4x20m and can handle up to 8500 ton, and another smaller one with 4500 ton capacity locally built by the same company,
n6apg5.jpg

additionally, a 150 meter long dry dock is under construction that can handle up to 10500 ton with a cost of 137 million euros, it will be finished by the end of 2022.
1606058876894.png

126923297_3632222793505466_5819079085121476213_o (1).jpg
126804042_3632222776838801_8766157786914278612_o.jpg

White=floating dock, yellow=dry dock
B.png

The company does hull repair for all fleet's vessel and built 3x LCM62 class landing craft, 4x Djebel Chenoua-class corvettes,14x Kebir-class OPV and 12x Salvamar-class patrol boats.
As for future plans they may build Type-54 OPV and they're interested in Russian Project 02800 assault landing boat and Project 03160 high-speed patrol boat, although nothing is confirmed.
 

Agha Sher

Experienced member
DefenceHub Diplomat
Messages
2,664
Reactions
9 9,055
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Afghanistan
Great thread. Does Algeria own the IP right to any significant military platform/equipment?
 
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
ECA was created in 1993 to assemble Czech Zlin-142 and Zlin-143 under the name Firnas and Safir respectivly.
283320Firnas142.jpg

There are plans to make light fixed wing armed aircraft, AVIC Xiaoying-500 is a proposed model.
nil16.jpg
 

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,092
Reactions
21 18,639
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey
Amazing thread!
Great to hear of Algeria’s defence industry and how it began and how it’s going.

doesn’t seem that Algeria will be procuring from Turkey anytime soon as they put emphasis on local production. Which is the smart move.
 
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
Great thread. Does Algeria own the IP right to any significant military platform/equipment?
Thx. Unfortunately, all models' IP are owned by foreign companies, There are a lot of prototypes and designs made but most are unsatisfactory due to lack of experience and the absence of private design bureaus.
 

TR_123456

Experienced member
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
4,744
Reactions
11,611
Nation of residence
Nethelands
Nation of origin
Turkey
Thx. Unfortunately, all models' IP are owned by foreign companies, There are a lot of prototypes and designs made but most are unsatisfactory due to lack of experience and the absence of private design bureaus.
Are there any significant steps taken to nationalize these companies,its not like you do not have the means to do so?
What are the future perspectives or goals?
 

Saithan

Experienced member
Denmark Correspondent
Messages
8,092
Reactions
21 18,639
Nation of residence
Denmark
Nation of origin
Turkey
I imagine that as long as it’s status quo Algeria on’t have many issues procuring defence gear, as these companies bring back revenue.
For a Turkish company to have success in Algeria would require more than what these companies offer. If FNSS and Turkish tractor producer (Tusas?) has success with their production and local engine then it could be an oportunity
 
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
Chinese fully electronic 120mm mortar system on Hafeet 640a 6x6 vehicle presumably during trials.
1.png
001.png
2.png

Fresh out the assembly line
006.png
 
Last edited:
Messages
14
Reactions
95
Nation of residence
Algeria
Nation of origin
Algeria
Some information @Chakib larbi was able to obtain during an exhibition last December
  • NIMR have started serial production of Hafeet and Ajban vehicles while LRSOV production is still not realized yet
  • Both Spanish EM&E and Chinese UW-1 RCWS are made locally with optronic being supplied by SCAFSE.
  • Hafeet vehicle will be fitted with multiple combat systems both co-developed with China and local ones.
  • Kornet ATGM is locally produced and its range have been extended from 4.5 Km to 8 Km.
  • Fuchs-2 variants that have been produced so far are as follows; APC, ambulance, amphibious, EW, chemical warfare, C4I command post, towing and repair and lastly communications.
  • Manufacturing an AFV either the Puma or Lynx is eminent in the mid to long-term but for the time being they focusing on the Boxer.
  • The Boxer negotiations are in their final stages, the reason behind the delay is finalizing details concerning technology transfer.
  • The Army has an optoelectronics plant near the town of Boufarik in partnership with France's Thales and Safran.
  • There is a new plate carrier design and a Magnum boots copy waiting to be accepted into service.
  • All land forces' platforms even Russian one are fitted with local electro-optics and communication systems among them T-90SA, BTR-80. BMP, Akatsiya and PLZ-45.
  • An upgrade for the Russian Malakhit automated artillery fire control system is under development with the goal to make it lighter and fully wireless with more reliable laser and up-to-date French optics.
 

Follow us on social media

Top Bottom