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Algeria Flag for Algeria

Country Spotlight

Algeria does not possess a nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons program. However, it has purchased multiple Iskander-E ballistic missile systems from Russia. During the 1960s, France conducted numerous nuclear weapons tests on Algerian territory. Algeria operates two nuclear research reactors and plans to construct nuclear power reactors.

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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 regiments purchased from Russia

Nuclear

  • Signed NPT as non-nuclear weapon state in 1995 and one of 1st countries to sign the Treaty of Pelindaba
  • Has major uranium reserves and plans to construct nuclear power reactors
  • Fallout from French nuclear tests in Algeria in the 1960s contributes to tensions between the two countries as effects from nuclear radiation are still being felt by the local population
  • Signed a pact with Russian company Rosatom in March 2024 to assist development in the areas of peaceful nuclear energy, research reactors, and the nuclear fuel cycle

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 Weapons Convention (BWC) in 2001

Missile

  • Received 4 Iskander-E tactical ballistic missile regiments from Russia between 2014 and 2017
  • Tested Iskander-E system during military exercises in November 2020
  • Not a member of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC)

Chemical

  • Active member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
  • Ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in August 1995 
  • Does not possess a chemical weapons program

Treaties and Regimes Memberships

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Pelindaba Treaty

The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone (ANWFZ) Treaty of Pelindaba established the African continent as a Nuclear-Weapons-Free-Zone.

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Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) bans the use, possession, testing, and transfer of nuclear weapons under international law.

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NPT

The NPT is a treaty aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons through the three pillars of non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

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Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty bans all nuclear explosion tests on Earth. It needs eight key countries to ratify before entry into force.

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