29 July -- Iran is expected to receive the first shipment of Chinese-made shoulder-fired missile systems for air defence in the coming weeks under a deal worth $60 million to $70 million, according to three sources familiar with the deal.
The purchase is one of the largest known efforts by Iran to bolster its short-range air defences since months of conflict with the United States and Israel exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s capability to protect military facilities and critical infrastructure.
The deal involved 300 to 400 man-portable air defence systems, such as the Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missile systems, the sources said. The contract was reportedly signed through Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company said to be acting as a middleman between Iran and the Chinese supplier.
They asked not to be identified, saying they were not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
Iran's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"The relevant reports are totally groundless," the Chinese Foreign Ministry denied in the report. “China has been consistent in its efforts to promote peace and resolve the conflict.
Zhong Qing Bao Shang Group, the parent company of Beijing-based Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, did not immediately respond.
Iran has tried to rebuild its military might after months of fighting in which US and Israeli forces targeted sites tied to its missile, drone and air-defence programmes. In the conflict, Tehran retaliated with ballistic missiles and drone strikes.
Military analysts say the conflict has highlighted the difficulty of defending fixed military facilities and strategic infrastructure from advanced aircraft and precision-guided weapons.
The sources said delivery schedules and quantities in the agreement may still change. Initial shipments are expected to leave by air from Urumqi in western China, transit Pakistan and enter Iran. The sources did not say whether the last stage of the journey would be by air or overland.
Pakistan has rejected suggestions that it would facilitate the transfers. ISPR, the military’s media wing, said reports of Pakistani involvement were “absolutely concocted and false". The Foreign Ministry in Pakistan had no immediate comment.
Military experts say MANPADS are meant to target low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones. They are generally less vulnerable than fixed air defence batteries since they can be quickly deployed by small teams and frequently relocated.
European security sources said their countries’ authorities knew of several contracts under discussion for possible sales of QW-series missile systems, including variants QW-12, QW-18 and QW-19.
“Iran had been trying to get QW-12 and QW-18 systems, but I am not aware of a contract having already been signed,” said another Middle Eastern security source.
The QW-12 was less sophisticated than newer QW-series variants but could still provide an extra layer of protection against drones and other low-altitude targets, defence analysts said.
Two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official also said Tehran has considered overland transport routes for Chinese military hardware and dual-use parts to reduce the risk of disruption.
Procurement reports suggest that Iran remains interested in a mix of domestic weapons production and foreign military purchases despite long-standing international sanctions and restrictions on defence-related imports.
Iran was also seeking a separate deal with China for anti-ship cruise missiles. It could not independently confirm whether that deal was finalised.
China has dismissed the current missile transfer report, while Iran has not publicly admitted to the alleged purchase.
