Iran Expected to Receive Chinese Shoulder-Launched Missile Systems

Iran is expected to receive a first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defence missile launchers within weeks, according to sources familiar with the deal. The purchase, valued between $60 million and $70 million, includes QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS). This acquisition represents one of Tehran's largest efforts to strengthen its short-range air defences following a conflict with the United States and Israel that exposed vulnerabilities in its strategic infrastructure.

The deal was reportedly signed with Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company acting as an intermediary. Proposed delivery logistics involve shipments from Urumqi in western China transiting through Pakistan to reach Iran. However, both the Chinese and Pakistani governments have denied these reports; China's Foreign Ministry called the claims "completely groundless," and Pakistan’s military public relations wing (ISPR) stated that speculations regarding its involvement in the supply of weapons are "concocted and false."

Military experts note that portable systems like the QW-12 and FN-16 are critical for defending against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones because they can be relocated frequently, making them less vulnerable than fixed air-defence batteries. While the agreement has been signed, sources cautioned that delivery schedules and quantities could still change.