Iran is expected to receive its first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers within weeks, according to three sources familiar with the agreement, in an exclusive interview with Reuters.
The purchase, valued at between $60 million and $70 million, represents one of Tehran’s largest known efforts to strengthen its short-range air defences since the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel.
The deal was reportedly signed with Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company acting as an intermediary between Iran and the Chinese supplier.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
However, China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the reports, describing them as “completely groundless”.
“China has consistently played a role in promoting peace and ending the conflict,” the ministry said.
Asked about the reported agreement at a regular press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said he was “not familiar with the relevant situation”.
Zhong Qing Bao Shang Group, the parent company of Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Iran is seeking to rearm after months of fighting in which the United States and Israel struck facilities linked to its missile, drone and air-defence programmes.
Tehran responded with waves of ballistic missile and drone attacks.
The conflict exposed weaknesses in Iran’s ability to defend fixed military sites and strategic infrastructure against advanced aircraft and precision-guided weapons.
The acquisition of hundreds of MANPADS would significantly expand Iran’s stock of short-range air-defence weapons and highlight its deepening military ties with China.
The sources cautioned that although the contract had been signed, delivery schedules, quantities and other details could still change.
Under the proposed plan, the weapons would initially be transported by air from Urumqi in western China before passing through Pakistan to Iran.
The sources did not clarify whether the shipment would travel through Pakistan by road or air.
However, Pakistan’s military public relations wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, denied that the country was involved in the transfer.
“Speculations of Pakistan being involved in the supply of air-defence weapons to Iran from China are absolutely concocted and false,” it said.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Military experts say portable air-defence systems are valuable because they can be quickly dispersed, operated by small teams and frequently relocated. These features make them less vulnerable than fixed air-defence batteries.
A European security source said authorities in his country were aware of several contracts under discussion involving the possible sale of QW-series MANPADS to Iran, including QW-12, QW-18 and QW-19 systems.
A second security source in the Middle East said Iran had been seeking to purchase QW-12 and QW-18 missiles but was unaware that an agreement had been finalised.
The QW-12 and FN-16 are shoulder-fired, infrared-guided surface-to-air missile systems designed to target low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones.
Their mobility allows them to be rapidly deployed around military bases, energy facilities and other sensitive locations.
Defence analysts consider the QW-12 less advanced than newer variants, including the QW-18 and QW-19. However, they say it can still provide an effective layer of short-range protection against drones and low-flying targets.
Two Western intelligence sources and an Iranian official said Tehran had also explored overland routes for transporting Chinese military supplies and dual-use components more discreetly.
Such routes could help reduce the risk of deliveries being disrupted.
The procurement reflects Iran’s continued reliance on a combination of domestic weapons production and foreign suppliers despite years of sanctions and restrictions on defence imports.
Iran has also reportedly explored a separate agreement with China to acquire anti-ship cruise missiles. It remains unclear whether that agreement was finalised.
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