Iran to receive shipment of Chinese should-fired air-defense missiles: Reuters

Iran is expected to receive within weeks the first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, according to three sources familiar with the deal who spoke to Reuters.

The systems form part of Tehran’s effort to rebuild short-range defenses damaged during its ongoing conflict with the United States and ‘Israel’.

The contract, valued at $60-70 million, covers between 300 and 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), specifically Chinese QW-12 and FN-16 missiles.

It was signed with Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based firm acting as an intermediary between Iran and the Chinese supplier.

The sources, who requested anonymity by Reuters due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the purchase ranks among Tehran’s largest known moves to reinforce short-range air defenses since the war began.

China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the reports, stating: “The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict.”

The conflict, which has lasted roughly five months and has been under a “theoretical” ceasefire since April, exposed significant gaps in Iran’s ability to protect military sites and strategic infrastructure against advanced aircraft and precision-guided munitions.

US and ‘Israeli’ strikes targeted facilities linked to Iran’s missile, drone, and air-defense programs, while Tehran responded with ballistic missiles and drones.

Washington recently suspended two weeks of bombardment, though US President Donald Trump has warned strikes could resume if negotiations fail.

Deliveries are planned to begin by air from Urumqi in western China before transiting through Pakistan to Iran, though sources did not specify to Reuters whether the final leg would occur by air or road.

Pakistan’s military public relations wing, ISPR, firmly denied any role, saying: “Speculations of Pakistan being involved in supply of Air Defence weapons to Iran from China are absolutely concocted and false.”

Military experts note that portable systems like the infrared-guided QW-12 and FN-16, designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones, offer key advantages: they can be dispersed quickly, operated by small teams, and relocated frequently, making them harder to target than fixed batteries.

Analysts view the QW-12 as less advanced than newer Chinese variants such as the QW-18 or QW-19, but still capable of providing useful short-range protection.

A European security source confirmed awareness of multiple discussions involving QW-series systems for Iran.