Iran has signed a deal to purchase hundreds of Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile systems in an effort to rebuild military capabilities damaged during months of fighting with the United States and Israel, according to multiple sources familiar with the agreement.
Three sources told Reuters that Tehran is expected to receive its first shipment within weeks under a contract valued at between $60 million and $70 million. The agreement reportedly covers between 300 and 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), including Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missile launchers. Some delivery details are still being finalized and could change.
The purchase is the biggest of Iran's known efforts to strengthen its short ranged air defenses since the war exposed weaknesses in the country's ability to defend military bases from air attacks on infrastructure. Iran has invested heavily in drones, ballistic missiles and radar systems over the past two decades, but portable missile systems can be moved quickly by small teams and are harder to target than fixed air-defense batteries.
According to the sources, the contract was signed through Hong Kong-based Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, which acted as an intermediary between Iran and the Chinese supplier. Initial deliveries are expected to leave Urumqi in western China before transiting through Pakistan en route to Iran, though the sources did not specify whether the shipments would continue by air or overland.
Pakistan denied any involvement. The country's military public relations wing, ISPR, said: “Speculations of Pakistan being involved in supply of Air Defence weapons to Iran from China are absolutely concocted and false."
China also rejected the report. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said: "The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict."
Reuters reported that two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official said Tehran has also explored overland routes to move Chinese military supplies and dual-use components while reducing the risk of disruption.
A European security source told Reuters officials were aware of multiple discussions involving possible sales of QW-series MANPADS to Iran, while a separate Middle East security source told the outklet Tehran had been seeking QW-12 and QW-18 systems, though they were unaware a deal had already been finalized.
Three sources told Reuters that Tehran is expected to receive its first shipment within weeks under a contract valued at between $60 million and $70 million. The agreement reportedly covers between 300 and 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), including Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missile launchers. Some delivery details are still being finalized and could change.
The purchase is the biggest of Iran's known efforts to strengthen its short ranged air defenses since the war exposed weaknesses in the country's ability to defend military bases from air attacks on infrastructure. Iran has invested heavily in drones, ballistic missiles and radar systems over the past two decades, but portable missile systems can be moved quickly by small teams and are harder to target than fixed air-defense batteries.
According to the sources, the contract was signed through Hong Kong-based Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, which acted as an intermediary between Iran and the Chinese supplier. Initial deliveries are expected to leave Urumqi in western China before transiting through Pakistan en route to Iran, though the sources did not specify whether the shipments would continue by air or overland.
Pakistan denied any involvement. The country's military public relations wing, ISPR, said: “Speculations of Pakistan being involved in supply of Air Defence weapons to Iran from China are absolutely concocted and false."
China also rejected the report. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said: "The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict."
Reuters reported that two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official said Tehran has also explored overland routes to move Chinese military supplies and dual-use components while reducing the risk of disruption.
A European security source told Reuters officials were aware of multiple discussions involving possible sales of QW-series MANPADS to Iran, while a separate Middle East security source told the outklet Tehran had been seeking QW-12 and QW-18 systems, though they were unaware a deal had already been finalized.
