Iran is to receive Chinese MANPADS in the coming weeks - Reuters

Iran is expected to receive within a few weeks the first batch of 400 Chinese-made portable anti-aircraft missile systems for air defense, citing three sources familiar with the deal, Reuters reports, indicating that this comes as Iran rebuilds its defenses amid the war with the United States, writes UNN.

Details

This purchase, estimated at $60-70 million, is one of the largest known efforts by Tehran to bolster its short-range air defense since the start of the war with the US and Israel, which exposed gaps in Iran's ability to protect military sites and strategic infrastructure.

According to the sources, the contract involves the purchase of 300 to 400 man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), including Chinese QW-12 and FN-16 missiles.

The deal was signed with Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong company that, according to the sources, acted as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier.

China's Foreign Ministry stated: "The relevant reports are completely unfounded. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict."

Iran needs to rearm after months of fighting in which the US and Israel struck facilities linked to its missile, drone, and air defense programs, while Tehran responded with a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones.

The conflict highlighted the difficulty of defending stationary military and strategic sites against advanced aircraft and precision-guided weapons.

On Saturday, Washington abruptly suspended bombing for two weeks, but US President Donald Trump said strikes would resume if negotiations cannot end the five-month conflict, which has theoretically been under a ceasefire since April.

The delivery of hundreds of MANPADS will significantly expand Iran's short-range air defense arsenal and highlight how military ties with China are deepening.

The sources warned that although the deal has been signed, delivery schedules, quantities, and other implementation details may still change.

According to the plan agreed upon by the parties, deliveries will initially be made by air from Urumqi in western China, then transit through Pakistan to Iran, the sources said, without specifying whether transfers will be by air or road.

Pakistan's military public relations wing ISPR stated: "Assumptions about Pakistan's involvement in supplying air defense weapons to Iran from China are completely fabricated and false." A spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

A European security source said his country's authorities are aware of several contracts under discussion related to the possible sale of QW-series MANPADS to Iran, including QW-12, QW-18, and QW-19 systems.

A second security source in the Middle East said Iran sought to acquire QW-12 and QW-18 missiles, but they were not aware that a deal had already been concluded.

The QW-12 and FN-16 are ground-to-air MANPADS with infrared guidance, designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones. Their mobility allows for rapid deployment around military sites, energy infrastructure, and other sensitive locations.

Defense analysts consider the QW-12 less powerful than newer QW variants, including the QW-18 and QW-19, but say these systems can still provide an effective level of short-range protection against drones and low-flying targets.

Two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official said Tehran has also explored using ground routes for more discreet movement of Chinese military supplies and dual-use components, as well as to reduce the risk of disruptions.

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