Iran to Receive Chinese Shoulder-Launched Missile Systems

Key facts

• Iran is to receive up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-launched air-defence missile systems within weeks, worth US$60-70 million.
• The contract covers QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) and was signed with Hong Kong-based Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment as intermediary.
• Deliveries are planned by air from Urumqi, China, transiting through Pakistan to Iran, although Pakistan denies involvement in arms transfers.
• The purchase aims to strengthen Iran's short-range air defences after months of war with the United States and Israel exposed gaps in protection of military and strategic sites.
• China's Foreign Ministry dismissed the reports as 'completely groundless', while a European security source confirmed awareness of multiple QW-series MANPADS contracts under discussion for Iran.