DR ‹ › On Thursday, Algeria launched a new reconnaissance satellite, Alsat-3A, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. The operation was supervised from Algiers by the Chief of Staff of the Algerian Army, Saïd Chengriha. According to a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Defense, the satellite will provide Algeria with very high-resolution Earth-observation capabilities, strengthening its geospatial intelligence system. It is expected to significantly enhance mapping capacities and support the development of digital terrain models. The launch forms part of a broader strategy to consolidate and expand Algeria's satellite surveillance capabilities. It also reflects cooperation between the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the statement added. With Alsat-3A, Algeria is seeking to strengthen its position in space-based intelligence, in a context of growing regional competition. In February 2024, Israeli media reported that Morocco had ordered two reconnaissance satellites from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) under a contract reportedly valued at around $1 billion. Under the agreement, Rabat is set to acquire two Ofek‐13 satellites, intended to replace the current systems developed by Airbus and Thales—namely Mohammed VI‐A, launched in November 2017, and Mohammed VI‐B, placed into orbit in November 2018.
