Morocco doubles defense spending in arms race with Algeria

A U.S. consultant said the North African kingdom has entered an arms race with neighboring Algeria. The consultant, Forecast International, said Morocco and South Africa have become the leading spenders on defense over the last five years.

"Morocco's defense budget doubled in size between 2005 and 2009," Forecast said. "This development comes as the government supports a series of new arms acquisitions that will allow the country to maintain a balance of power with neighboring Algeria."

Forecast, in a Dec. 20 report, did not specify Morocco's defense budget. The Newtown, Conn.-based firm said Morocco represented a 13 percent increase in African defense spending from 2005 to 2009.

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