Iran is expected to receive within weeks the first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defense systems, three informed sources told Reuters, as part of Tehran's efforts to rebuild its defenses amid its war with the United States.
اضافة اعلان
The deal, valued between $60 million and $70 million, marks one of the largest known efforts by Tehran to bolster its short-range air defenses since the outbreak of its conflict with the United States and Israel, which exposed vulnerabilities in Iran's ability to protect military sites and strategic infrastructure.
The sources said the contract covers the purchase of between 300 and 400 man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), including Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missiles.
The deal was signed with Chongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company that sources said acted as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to a request for comment. China's Foreign Ministry stated, "The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending conflict."
Beijing-based Chongqing Baoshang Group, the parent company of Chongqing Baoshang International Investment, did not respond to an emailed request for comment on Tuesday.
Iran needs to rearm following months of fighting during which the United States and Israel launched strikes against facilities tied to its missile, drone, and air defense programs, to which Tehran responded with volleys of ballistic missiles and drones.
The conflict highlighted the challenge of defending fixed military and strategic sites against advanced aircraft and precision-guided weapons.
Washington abruptly halted two weeks of bombardment on Saturday, but President Donald Trump said strikes would resume if negotiations fail to end the five-month conflict, which had theoretically been under a ceasefire since April.
The delivery of hundreds of MANPADS would significantly expand Iran's inventory of short-range air defense weapons and underscores its deepening military ties with China.
Sources warned that although the agreement has been signed, delivery schedules, quantities, and other execution details could still change.
The sources noted that under a plan agreed upon by both parties, deliveries would initially be flown from Urumqi in western China, passing through Pakistan to Iran, though sources did not clarify whether the transfers would be by air or land.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Pakistani military stated, "Speculation regarding Pakistan's involvement in the supply of air defense weapons to Iran from China is fabricated and completely false." A spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
China and Iran Exploring Overland Delivery Routes
While Iran has invested heavily over the past two decades in missiles, drones, and radars, military experts say MANPADS are vital because they can be deployed quickly, operated by small crews, and relocated frequently, making them less vulnerable than fixed air defense batteries.
A European security source said authorities in his country were aware of several contracts under discussion regarding the potential sale of QW-series MANPADS to Iran, including the QW-12, QW-18, and QW-19 systems.
A second Middle Eastern security source said Iran was seeking to acquire QW-12 and QW-18 missiles, but was unaware if a deal had already been finalized.
Both the QW-12 and FN-16 are shoulder-fired, infrared-guided surface-to-air missile systems designed to counter low-altitude aircraft, helicopters, and drones. Their mobility enables rapid deployment around military installations, energy infrastructure, and other sensitive sites.
Defense analysts consider the QW-12 less capable than newer QW models, including the QW-18 and QW-19, but say these systems still provide an effective layer of short-range protection against drones and low-altitude targets.
Two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official said Tehran also discussed using overland routes to transport Chinese military supplies and dual-use components more covertly, reducing the risk of disruption.
The acquisition highlights Tehran's continued reliance on a combination of domestic arms production and foreign suppliers, despite years of sanctions and defense-related import restrictions.
Reuters previously reported that Iran was close to concluding a separate agreement with China to acquire anti-ship cruise missiles, according to people familiar with those negotiations. Reuters was unable to determine whether that agreement had been finalized.
— (Agencies)
