Iran is expected to take delivery of the first batch of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers within weeks, according to three sources familiar with the agreement, marking one of Tehran’s most significant efforts to rebuild its short-range air defences since the outbreak of hostilities with the United States.
The contract, valued at between $60 million and $70 million, covers the purchase of 300 to 400 Man-Portable Air Defence Systems, or MANPADS, including the QW-12 and FN-16 models. The deal was signed with Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company acting as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier, the sources said.
A Critical Need After Months of Conflict
The procurement underscores the urgent requirement to rearm after months of fighting that has seen U.S. and Israeli strikes target facilities linked to Iran’s missile, drone, and air-defence programmes. The conflict has starkly highlighted the vulnerability of fixed military and strategic sites against advanced aircraft and precision-guided munitions.
Washington abruptly suspended two weeks of bombardment on Saturday, but President Donald Trump warned that strikes would resume if negotiations failed to end the five-month-old conflict, which has technically been under a ceasefire since April. The arrival of hundreds of MANPADS would significantly expand Iran’s inventory and signal deepening military ties with China.
China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the report as “completely groundless,” stating that Beijing has consistently played a role in promoting peace. Iran’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The parent company of the Hong Kong-based intermediary also did not reply to an email inquiry.
Logistics and Delivery Routes
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, cautioned that delivery schedules and quantities could still change. Under the current plan, initial deliveries will be by air from Urumqi in western China, transiting through Pakistan before reaching Iran. It remains unclear whether the final leg of the transfer will be conducted by air or by road.
Pakistan’s military public relations wing, ISPR, strongly denied any involvement, calling the speculation “absolutely concocted and false.” A spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official noted that Tehran has also explored overland routes to move Chinese military supplies and dual-use components more discreetly, reducing the risk of disruption.
Tactical Advantages and Strategic Implications
While Iran has invested heavily in ballistic missiles, drones, and radar over the past two decades, military experts say portable air-defence systems offer distinct advantages. They can be dispersed quickly, operated by small teams, and relocated frequently, making them far less vulnerable than fixed air-defence batteries.
The QW-12 and FN-16 are shoulder-fired, infrared-guided surface-to-air missile systems designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones. Defence analysts consider the QW-12 less capable than newer variants like the QW-18 and QW-19, but the systems can still provide an effective layer of short-range protection for military installations, energy infrastructure, and other sensitive sites.
A European security source said authorities were aware of several contracts under discussion for the possible sale of QW-series MANPADS to Iran, including the QW-12, QW-18, and QW-19. A second security source in the Middle East confirmed Iran had been seeking to purchase QW-12 and QW-18 missiles but was unaware a deal had already been finalized.
The procurement highlights the Islamic Republic’s continued reliance on a combination of domestic weapons production and foreign suppliers, despite years of sanctions and restrictions on defence-related imports. Reuters previously reported that Iran was close to securing a separate agreement with China to acquire anti-ship cruise missiles, though it could not determine whether that deal was completed.
