TEHRAN, Iran: A reported Iran air defence deal would supply 300 to 400 Chinese MANPADS worth $60 million to $70 million, three sources familiar with the contract told Reuters on July 29.
The sources expected Iran to receive the first shipment within weeks. They said the contract covered QW-12 and FN-16 shoulder-fired missile systems, according to the Reuters report.
However, China’s Foreign Ministry called the report “completely groundless.” It said Beijing continued to promote peace and an end to the Middle East conflict.
The sources said the contract involved Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment. They described the Hong Kong-based company as an intermediary between Iran and an unidentified Chinese supplier.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to Reuters. Zhong Qing Bao Shang Group, the intermediary’s Beijing-based parent company, also did not comment.
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The proposed delivery plan would send the weapons by air from Urumqi in western China before routing them through Pakistan. The sources did not establish whether the Pakistan-to-Iran stage would use an air or land route.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations rejected that account. It called claims of Pakistani involvement in supplying Chinese air-defence weapons to Iran “absolutely concocted and false.”
The QW-12 and FN-16 use infrared guidance to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones. Small teams can disperse and relocate the systems more easily than fixed air-defence batteries.
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Iran has sought to rebuild military capabilities after US and Israeli strikes damaged facilities linked to its missile, drone and air-defence programs.
The sources cautioned that delivery dates, quantities and other contract details could still change.
