Iran to adopt Chinese portable defense system to strengthen air defense: sources

Tehran: According to three informed sources, Iran is set to receive its first shipment of Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defense systems (MANPADS) in the coming weeks. The deal is aimed at bolstering Iran's air defense capabilities following months of military clashes with the US and Israel.

Sources said the agreement would see Iran purchase between 300 to 400 QW-12 and FN-16 models of Chinese-made air defense systems, valued at around $60 to $70 million. This is considered one of the largest deals to enhance Iran's short-range air defense capabilities since the start of the war.

The deal was reportedly brokered by Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a company based in Hong Kong, which acted as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier.

The move to boost defense capabilities comes after months of war, during which Iran has been trying to rebuild its armed forces following attacks by the US and Israel. The attacks targeted Iran's missile program, drones, and air defense facilities, while Iran responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones.

The war has highlighted the challenges Iran faces in protecting its military installations and strategic sites from modern warplanes and precision-guided weapons. Although the US has halted its bombing campaign, President Donald Trump has warned that airstrikes could resume if negotiations to end the five-month conflict fail.

China and Pakistan have denied the allegations. China's Foreign Ministry dismissed the reports as "baseless," saying China continues to play a role in supporting efforts to establish peace and end the conflict in the region. Pakistan has also strongly denied reports that its territory would be used as a transit route for the transfer of Chinese weapons to Iran, with the military's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) calling the allegations "fabricated" and "false."

According to sources, the initial plan was to transport the shipment of arms from the western Chinese city of Urumqi via an air route, which would then pass through Pakistani territory to reach Iran. However, the final arrangements for the transport are still subject to change.

The report also stated that Tehran has considered using land routes for the clandestine transfer of military equipment and dual-use items to minimize the risks of disruption to the supply line.

The significance of the new air defense systems
The QW-12 and FN-16 are shoulder-fired air defense missiles that use infrared guidance systems. They are designed to target low-flying warplanes, helicopters, and drones.

According to military analysts, while these systems are less advanced than newer models like the QW-18 and QW-19, they provide effective defensive protection for military installations and critical infrastructure against drone attacks and low-flying targets.

The deal reflects Iran's continued reliance on both domestic military production and foreign imports to meet its defense needs, despite years of sanctions and strict restrictions on defense imports. Reuters has previously reported that Iran was close to reaching a separate deal with China to acquire anti-ship cruise missiles, although it was not confirmed whether that deal had been implemented.