Algeria
Country Spotlight
Algeria does not have and is not suspected to be in pursuit of a nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons program. However, they purchased multiple Iskander-e missile systems from Russia. During the 1960s, France conducted numerous nuclear weapons tests in Algeria. Algeria operates two nuclear research reactors and supports the “total elimination of nuclear weapons.”
See Algeria's preformance in:
Region Middle East and North Africa
2 Nuclear research reactors operated by Algeria
17 Nuclear weapons tests conducted by France in Algerian desert
4 Iskander-e missile systems purchased from Russia
Nuclear
- Signed secret agreement with China in 1983 to receive 2nd reactor, causing international concern of potential weapons proliferation
- Signed NPT as non-nuclear weapon state in 1995 and one of 1st countries to sign Treaty of Pelindaba
- Operates 2 research reactors under IAEA additional protocol safeguards
Tutorial on Nuclear Testing
Biological
- Unsubstantiated media reports in 2009 claim that Al Qaeda attempted to develop biological weapons in Algeria
- Possesses a limited dual-use biotechnology program
- Joined the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) in 2001
Tutorial on Biological Weapons Nonproliferation
NTI Tutorials
Missile
- Purchased 4 Iskander-e tactical missile systems from Russia in 2013
- Tested Iskander-e system during military exercises in November 2020
- Not a member of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC)
Tutorial on Missiles and Other WMD Delivery Systems
Tutorial on Nuclear Testing
Chemical
- Active member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
- Ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention in August 1995
- Does not possess a chemical weapons program
Tutorial on Chemical Weapons Nonproliferation
NTI Tutorials
Treaties and Regimes Memberships
- NTI
- CNS
Analysis
Algeria
Understanding the New Nuclear Weapons Ban
The implications of a UN treaty banning nuclear weapons.
Education Center