SinoAlgerian Military Relations Opportunity Challenges for France Claude

Sino-Algerian Military Relations: Opportunity & Challenges for France Claude Zanardi KCL – War Studies claudia. zanardi@kcl. ac. uk

Status of the Sino-Africa Relations � Sino-African � China � No trade: US $ 10 bn in 2000 US $ 127 bn in 2010 is Africa’s Largest Trading Partner More Ideology but Practical FP (Only Condition: ‘One China Policy’)

Past-Bilateral Relations China: � Supports Front National de Libération (FNL) � 1 st Non-Arab Country to Recognise Algerian Provisional Government (GPRA) (Dec. 1958) � FNL to China (Algeria’s Support Week, Dec. 1958) � FNL 10 m US $ Arms (1959) 1960: te FNL Backs China’s Sovereignty over Taiwan

Past-Bilateral Relations � Edu. & Health Coop. Agreements (1963) � Loan: 250 m Fr; by 1966, China’s Aid to Algeria 50 m US $ However, Algeria Only Claimed 3 m US$ � Trade & Payment Agreement (1964) BUT no Increase in Bilateral Economic Ties � Joint Commission Eco, Commercial & Tech. Coop. (1982) => Tech. coop. on nuclear power Algeria backs China in IOs, (Seat UN Security Council, 1971)

Sum-up Cold War Relations High-level State Visits Rare & Ideological � China Unable to Concretise Support to FNL � Zhou’s African Tour (1963 -1964) No Rallies Arabs against URSS � URSS Mil. Help: Algeria Buys ‘Peaceful Coexistence’ � Boumediene Meets Zhou (1974) � China’s Open Door Policy (1978) � Zhao’s African Trip (1982 -1983) China in Africa Driven by Pure Economic Goals

Increasing High-Level Political Relations (since 1999) � � � � Jiang in Algeria (1999) Bouteflika Among 4 Heads of State to Attend 1 st FOCAC (2000) Li Peng, Chairman of the SC of NPC in Algiers (2001) Zhu Rongji in Algeria (2002) Wu Bangguo, Chairman of SC of NPC, & Li Changchun, PBSC Member in Algeria (2004) Bouteflika at 3 rd FOCAC: Joint Declaration on ‘Develop. Of Strategic Partnership & Coop. ’ (2006) Hu & Wen in Algiers (2006): ‘Algeria-China Strategic Relations’ & Accords to Enhance Bilateral Coop. Bouteflika at Olympics Opening Ceremony (2008)

Sino-Algerian Military Relations Layers of China’s Military Presence in Africa: 1. 2. 3. Training, Exchanges & Capacity Building, Arms Sales Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) So Sino-Algerian Mil Relations Include 1 & 2

1. Defence Cooperation � Permanent Defence Attaché in Beijing: 18 African Countries � Only � Since Six Directly Reciprocal (Algeria) 2000, Increasing High-Level Military Exchanges

2. Armament Coperation China Can Sell Weapons Through: a. High-Level Military Contacts, b. Direct Contacts with Chinese Companies Producing Mil Equipment (Contacts between Algerian Officials & Chinese Providers - e. g. Poli Group Corp. - Difficult to Prove)

a. High-Level Mil Contacts 2000: Mo. D & CMC Vice-Chairman, Chi Haotian, in Algeria 2011: Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of GSD receives Secretary-General of Algeria Mo. D, Zenakhri Mohamed Sino-Algerian relations ‘have achieved new develop. as evidenced by frequent high-level visits & closer coop. in various fields & along with the bilateral relations, the relations between the two militaries have also achieved satisfactory dev. , the Chinese military attaches importance to dev. good relations with the Algerian military, & is willing to make joint efforts with the Algerian side to constantly expand mil. Coop. & push forward the traditional friendship between the two militaries to a new stage’ (Ma) 2012: Ma Xiaotian visits Algeria

a. High-Level Mil Contacts Relevance of Algeria Mo. D Visit to Ma (2011): 1. Last of High-Level Bilateral Visits by Head of State/Military 2. Invited by SASTIND 3. Arab Springs & Mali Crisis 4. Declaration on ‘New Stage’ of Bilateral Mil Coop

a. High-Level Mil Contacts June 2012: Algeria Mil Delegation to Beijing � Discusses Potential Defence Collabor. Programmes & Visits AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Corp. � Algeria Interest for China Fighters to Replace Obsolete Mi. G-29 & Basic Trainers to Replace Ageing L-39 (Russian Set-Back)

a. High-Level Mil Contacts 1996 -98 China Small Arms to Algeria (3 ml US$) 2003 -06, China 3 rd Largest Weapons Provider to Africa (esp. SALW) AI : US is major supplier of SALW but ‘Kalashnikovs made in China have become widespread in Africa [. . . ] there is a real anxiety about this proliferation. For a long time, China did not sell great quantities of heavy weaponry [. . . ] more recently, however, Western states, & France in particular, have become concerned with Chinese exports of heavy weaponry and advanced military technology’. China ‘irresponsive attitude’: SALW to countries with low HRs score

b. Armament Cooperation China Not Signatory of Arms Exports Multilateral Agreement � Libya: Weapons Negotiations (200 ml US$) with Norinco, China National Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CNPMIEC) & China Xinxing Import & Export Corporation (CXXC) � Supposed � China's to Pass Through Algeria Foreign Minister Denied But This Suggests Algeria Had Links with Chinese Arms Merchants

Algeria, Morocco & NA Mil Expenditures Military Expenditures 12000 10564 8000 5586 6000 4000 3371 2000 3256 1793 662 8 19 8 8 19 9 9 19 0 9 19 1 9 19 2 9 19 3 9 19 4 9 19 5 9 19 6 9 19 7 9 19 8 9 20 9 0 20 0 0 20 1 0 20 2 0 20 3 0 20 4 0 20 5 0 20 6 0 20 7 0 20 8 0 20 9 10 0 19 bn US $ Constant 10000 North Africa Algeria Morocco

Navy & Aviation Mil Purchases from China NAVY 2005: Algeria Navy Commander in Beijing 2006: Chief of Staff Algeria Armed Forces (Ahmed Gaid Salah) Meets China Mo. D (Liang Guanglie) & CMC Vice. Chairman (Xu Caihou) => Algeria Buys One 5, 500 -ton Training Ship, & Its 3 C -85 (Project 802) 500 -ton-class Missile Fast Craft Fitted with Chinese C 802 Ship-to-ship Missiles AVIATION 2012: Ma Xiaotian in Algeria => Algeria Orders 3 Large Corvettes (Coastal Defence from China State Trading Corp. (CSTC) China Beats Russia & Corvettes To Be Built in China, Know-how Transfert

Military Purchase from China: Advantages � Lessen Military Dependence on Russia � Buy Cheaper Assets � Negotiate Lower Prices/Higher Tech Transfers � Principle of Non-Interference (Internal Disorders/Arab Rev. Contagion) � No-string Development Assistance � China’s Example to Build Mil-Industrial Complex � Anti-French & Anti-American Sentiments � China Mil. Equipment Based on Soviet Tech (Easy Adaptation, Modest Re-training Problems, Time-Saving & Adaptation Costs Reduced)

Algeria Military Industries Small-scale Production (Mil & Civilian Use) under Military Industrial Central Direction (DCIM) DCIM (1994) Depends on PNA & Includes: � Mechanical Construction Industry (ECMK) (1990), Firearms � Enterprise for Industrial Productions (ERIS) (1991), Bullets � National Office of Explosive Materials (EPE ONEX), (under Boumediène) Grenades, Mines � Industry for Uniforms & Tents � Enterprise Renovation Aeronautic Equipment (Erma), (1939) affiliated to Mo. D (1992)

Algeria Mil Industries Development Goals: 1. Boost Status of Regional Power (Belief to Be Leader in NA) 2. Gerontocratic Regime Needs Legitimisation (Arab Springs) & Only ‘Old-Style Autocratic Regime’ Left in NA 3. Avoid Depending on Foreign Supplies 4. Oil/Gas Revenues Available

Terrorism & Domestic Security Threats ARAB SPRINGS: Foreign Reserves (150 US$) Increase Public Spending BUT Long Term Issues: � Demographic Pressure � Stagnant Economy of Rent � High Unemployment Rate (Youth) � Uncertain Political Scenario Threat of Domestic Unrest => More Weapons & Differentiate Military Providers to Ensure On-flow in Emergency HOWEVER, Experts Tend to Rule Such a Possibility Out

Mali’s Crisis & Terrorist Threat 2012 -13: Algeria Domestic Instability + Threat from Terrorists Groups in Maghreb (Impact Domestic Security & Foreign Companies) France Mil Intervention Caused Signed-in-Blood Batallion (AQIM’s Splinter Group) Retaliation SIMILAR TO: 1991 -92 : Domestic Challenge (FIS) + External Threat, Second Gulf War (US Troops in Saudi Arabia) Perceived as a Threat to Regime Survival

Franco-Algerian Mil Rels, Algerian Mil Procurement & Chinese Factor NUCLEAR � Civil War & Embargo on Algeria: Algiers Strengthened Cooperation with China � 2005 Chief Commander 2 nd Artillery Forces in Algeria to Discuss Mil. Coop. � 2008 Sino-Algerian Agreement: China Competitive in Sector Dominated by Areva French Military Worried

Franco-Algerian Military Relations Algeria Fought a War for Independence (Evian, 1962) � France Re-focused on SSA (Pré-Carré) � 1963: Tech. Mil Assistance to Algeria & French Schools � Declaration of Principles on Military Issues (Evian Agreements) as Juridical Base to Franco-Algerian Mil Assistance Agreement (1967): Few French Mil Advisers in Algeria & Exchange Programmes to Algerian Militaries in French Academies � However Relations Difficult & Drawback 2 nd Algerian-Moroccan Conflict (1976) as Paris Backed Morocco (West-Sahara)

Cold War & Franco-African Mil Rels � La Françafrique : France FP Approach To French-Speaking African Countries � ‘Semi-Dogma’ Survived Cold War End � Long National Debate Made Urgent by Rwanda Intervention (1994) � Chirac: French Mil Presence Re-focused on 4 Geographical Bases: Djibouti, Dakar, Libreville & Reunion � Sarkozy: France Needs ‘New Approach to Africa’ & White Paper of Defence (2008). Dakar Dropped (2010)

Post-Cold War Franco-Algerian Rel Historical Change Since: � New Political Class Admits France Is a Medium Power in a Globalised World (+increasing awareness of China as a Rising Power) � New Challenges BUT Shrinking Resources (Global Financial Crisis) So French Mil Presence in Africa Unsustainable Need to Rethink Strategy & Redefine Goals to Match Resources 2008: Sarkozy & Union for the Mediterranean (Algeria Suspicion)

Past Decade Franco-Algerian Mil Relations (I) � � � Paris: Security & Defence Cooperation with Algeria ‘Good’ PNA Gets Mil Expertise, Elites Training & French Teaching for Algerian Military Personnel in French Training Schools Counter-terrorism Coop, Fight Against Criminal Orgs, Illegal Immigration & ID Fraud, Support Programme to Modernise Algeria Services of Civilian Protection Bouteflika’s Election (1999) Improved Bilateral Rels 2003: Chirac Idea of Treaty of Friendship BUT National Assembly Adopted Law on ‘Positive Elements of French Colonisation (2005) AND Abdelmalek Guenaïzia, Minister Delegate to Mo. D Attended Eurosatory 2006 on French Invitation

Past Decade Franco-Algerian Mil Relations (II) 2008: Defence Agreement (Laurent Fabius, Prime Minister in Algiers) & France Sold 21 FPB 98 (Fremm) Fast Patrol Craft (2008) � Talks about Rafale BUT No Major Deal Concluded � Nevertheless, France Follows far Beyond Russia Algerian Main Goal: Avoid Foreign Militaries on Its Soil, Formal Mil Alliances, Too Tight Partnerships (After Putin’s visit to Sign Several Defence Accords, 2006, Guenaïzia Met Homologue in Beijing to Boost Mil Coop)

Franco-Algerian Defence Agreement � 2008 Defence Agreement Blocked by French State Council Till Law Draft Submitted to National Assembly (4 July 2012) � Includes: Arms Acquisition & Tech Transfer, Scientific Research & Mil Tech Coop, Counter. Terrorism Coop, Training, Joint Exercises, Intelligence & Space Coop, & Coop for Common Security Threats � Franco-Algerian Commission Headed by Mo. Ds + 4 Sub-Commissions (Strategy, Mil, Armament & Mil Health) � Armament Sub-Commission to Facilitate Arms Procurement

ALGERIAN MIL PROCUREMENT & CHINESE FACTOR � China Goal: Maintain Eco Growth Applies also to Mil Export � Non-Conditionality Markets Rule Facilitates Access to (1996 -1999 Western Countries Reduced Mil Exports to Algeria, China Sold Artillery Pieces, Aircraft, Tank, Selfpropelled Guns, Armoured Personnel Carriers, & Patrol Craft, 100 ml US$ not including SALWs) � SALWs: Disruptive Impact, May Be Produced in Africa by Chinese Companies (3 Factories in at Least 3 Countries Produce Light Arms: Sudan, Mali & Zimbabwe) � Chinese Tech Assistance: ECMK & ERIS Produce Light Mil Equipment (Machine Guns, Automatic Guns, Replacement Parts, Generators…)

China’s Factor � Increasing Competitive Military Provider in Developing Countries � Military Analyst: ‘Their Arms Are Quite Good, Quite Reliable, & Relative Less Expensive’ (esp. Shipbuilding) e. g. Antiship Cruise Missiles (ASCM) Bought by PNA (YJ-8 & YJ-82) Similar to French Exocet � Useful to Develop Algeria Mil Industries (Mil More Professional & Nationalistic, Mil Relations with Other Countries, Diversification Mil Providers, Mil Coop Project with France 2003 -2004 including Training & Common Drills Not Trad Mil Coop BUT More Defence Coop to Dev Algeria Mil Industries => Too Exigent for Paris (Relationship with Morocco & Maghreb Mil Balance)

Conclusions: Is France Catching Up? � Apex of Franco-Algerian Relations: � Hollande to Algeria & Declaration of Algiers on Friendship & Coop + Eco. Agreements (Renault Assembly Plant in Oued Tléat ex-Jianling OEZ) � Guenaïzia & Le Drian, Signed Minutes of Exchange of Instruments of Ratification & Approval of Agreement on Defence Coop. � Mali Crisis & French Intervention Should Develop Bilateral Coop (Intelligence) to Tackle Terrorism & Restore Regional Security BUT Traditional Algerian Suspicion