NationalPulse
Iran has reportedly struck a deal to purchase between 300 and 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile systems to rebuild its air defense capabilities, which have been degraded after months of American and Israeli strikes.
The contract, valued at between $60 million and $70 million, according to three sources who spoke to Reuters, includes QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), with the first shipment expected to arrive within weeks, although some delivery details remain subject to change. The purchase represents Iran’s largest known effort to strengthen its short-range air defenses since the conflict began.
The deal was reportedly arranged through Hong Kong-based Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, with initial shipments expected to depart from Urumqi in western China and transit through Pakistan before reaching Iran. However, Pakistan has denied any involvement, with the country’s military calling reports linking it to the transfer “absolutely concocted and false.” China also rejected the claims, with a Foreign Ministry spokesman describing the reports as “completely groundless” and claiming that Beijing has sought to promote peace and end the conflict.
The alleged acquisition underscores Iran’s focus on strengthening its short-range air defenses, and raises questions aboutChina’s role in global arms sales and strategy to bypass international scrutiny through intermediaries and alternative transport routes.
Iran has heavily invested in drones, ballistic missiles, and radar systems over the past two decades, and has maintained its capacity to launch strikes throughout the Iran war, but its arsenal has undoubtedly been depleted through large-scale use and U.S.-Israeli strikes.
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