Algeria boasts the largest defense budget in Africa. Over the past decade (2004-2013) its military spending has more than doubled, with an increase of 176 percent, taking total annual spending to $10.4 billion. This makes Algeria the first African nation to tip its defence budget beyond the $10 billion mark.

The Algerian government is spending its billions on a broad upgrade of the country’s defense capabilities. Recent purchases and interest have included unmanned drones and self-propelled artillery from China, an amphibious vessel “Kalaat Bani-Abbes” built in Italy, armored vehicles from Germany to be assembled in a newly-established plant in Algeria, and a range of substantial purchases from Russia, including helicopters and submarines.

With a decade of bloody civil war behind it, the concern is that new defense spending indicates an even greater security challenge for Algeria over the coming years. And with Africa’s biggest spender wedged between multiple conflict zones, complex geopolitics could well force Algeria to take a more central role in policing the region.