Iran’s Anticipated Chinese Missile Delivery
Iran is reportedly set to receive its first batch of 400 shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles from China in the upcoming weeks. This deal, valued at over $60 million, has been arranged through an intermediary based in Hong Kong.
This information comes from three anonymous sources, as reported on Wednesday. They indicated that a company named Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment is facilitating the missile shipments between Beijing and Tehran, aiming to bolster Iran’s air defenses, particularly after recent attacks from the United States and Israel.
It seems Iran has recognized that its sensitive military sites can’t effectively fend off modern aerial threats. Therefore, China is allegedly stepping in to assist, reportedly providing 300 to 400 man-portable air defense systems known as MANPADS. These include the QW-12 model, which boasts an extended range and is designed to overcome various countermeasures employed by targeted aircraft.
Additionally, the shipment is expected to contain the fourth-generation FN-16 MANPADS, noted for its effectiveness against low-flying aircraft. The FN-16 can withstand electronic countermeasures and can be utilized in air-to-air combat, which might give Iran a significant tactical advantage.
In other terms, while the QW-12 is more suited for slower targets, the FN-16 is swift and can engage even the fast-moving fighter jets and drones. If Iran successfully acquires and deploys these systems en masse, it could very well force U.S. pilots to rethink their strategies, maintaining greater distances and heights from their objectives.
Sources indicate that Iran is eager for rapidly deliverable arms. Reportedly, there is a plan involving the covert transportation of these weapons from the western Chinese city of Urumqi to Iran, possibly passing through Pakistan, although it remains unclear whether the transport will be via air or land.
This account has been supported by security officials from Europe and the Middle East, who state that Iran has shown continuous interest in acquiring Chinese MANPADS as well as anti-ship missiles. Importantly, this report marks the first confirmation of a solidified agreement, with shipments soon expected.
China and Pakistan have strongly denied these reports. Specifically, China categorized the claims as “totally baseless,” while Pakistan labeled the involvement as “completely fabricated and false.”
At the same time, China maintains a relationship with Iran, positioning itself as a minor partner in the Sino-Russian alliance, while asserting its neutral status in regional conflicts.
Furthermore, China stands as Iran’s largest trading partner, responsible for purchasing over 85 percent of its oil exports. The two nations entered into a 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2021, encompassing areas of defense cooperation. Analysts suggest that China might have granted Iran access to the BeiDou satellite navigation system, enhancing the precision of Iran’s drone and missile attacks.
Reports also indicate that China is trying to ensure that Iranian or Houthi threats do not disrupt its oil tankers, particularly in the Red Sea region. A recent update states that the Houthis plan to demand ransoms from ships navigating the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a method reminiscent of earlier practices by Iran’s Houthi affiliates in the Strait of Hormuz.
Moreover, it appears China is currently engaged in “direct negotiations” with the Houthis to safeguard its vessels from potential attacks or exorbitant fees for navigation through this important maritime route.
