Reuters: Iran to Receive First Batch of Chinese MANPADS Within Weeks

[Beijingwalker]

Reuters: Iran to Receive First Batch of Chinese MANPADS Within Weeks​

July 29, 2026
12:28

A Chinese soldier fires an FN-6 MANPADS. Photo credits: missilery.info
Iran is expected to receive its first shipment of Chinese man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) within the next few weeks to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

Reuters reported this, citing sources familiar with the agreement.

According to the news agency, the deal with China provides for the delivery of up to 400 MANPADS in total, including the FN-16 and QW-12 models.

The value of the deal is estimated at $60–70 million, making it one of the largest known efforts by Tehran to strengthen its short-range air defense since the war with the United States and Israel began.

The fighting exposed gaps in Iran’s ability to defend its military facilities and strategic infrastructure.

The agreement was signed with the Hong Kong-based company Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, which acted as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the report as “completely groundless,” stating: “The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a constructive role in promoting peace and facilitating a ceasefire.”

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the report as “completely groundless,” stating: “The relevant reports are completely groundless. China has consistently played a constructive role in promoting peace and facilitating a ceasefire.”

According to the plan agreed by the parties, the deliveries will initially be transported by air from Ürümqi, in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, to Pakistan. From there, the systems will be shipped in transit to Iran, most likely by road.

Sources familiar with the matter told the agency that, despite the contract having been signed, the delivery schedule, the number of systems to be supplied, and other implementation details could still change.

CNN reported as early as April that China was preparing to deliver MANPADS to Iran within the following few weeks. It therefore remains unclear whether Reuters is reporting on a new order or referring to the shipment that was first reported in April.

CNN journalists, citing US intelligence assessments they had reviewed, reported at the time that Beijing planned to route the deliveries through third countries to conceal the weapons’ true origin.

 

[Beijingwalker]

Iran set to receive up to 400 Chinese shoulder-fired air-defense systems within weeks​

Sources report a $70 million deal to help Tehran rebuild defenses after Israeli and US strikes, with plans made to transport arms overland via Pakistan; Beijing denies report​

By JOHN IRISH and JONATHAN SAULToday, 4:02 pm


Illustrative: Rebel-fighters monitor the sky holding a FN-6 man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) in the Syrian village of Teir Maalah, on the northern outskirts of Homs, on April 20, 2016. (MAHMOUD TAHA/AFP)

Reuters — Iran is expected to receive within weeks a first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, as it rebuilds its defenses amid ongoing fighting with the United States, three sources told Reuters.

The purchase, valued at $60-70 million, is one of Tehran’s largest-known efforts to strengthen its short-range air defenses since the outbreak of its war with the US and Israel in late February, which exposed gaps in Iran’s ability to protect military sites and strategic infrastructure.

This delivery would significantly expand Iran’s inventory of short-range air-defense weapons and suggest deepening military ties with China.

The deal was signed with Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based company that the sources said was acting as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier.

Under a plan agreed to by the parties, deliveries will initially be by air from Urumqi in western China, then transiting through Pakistan to Iran, according to the sources, who did not clarify whether the transfers would take place by air or by road.

China’s Foreign Ministry denied the report, calling it “completely groundless” and saying Beijing had consistently worked to promote peace and end the conflict.

Pakistan’s military public relations wing said: “Speculations of Pakistan being involved in the supply of Air Defense weapons to Iran from China are absolutely concocted and false.”

Iran’s foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment, along with the Hong Kong-based company Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment.

Iran set to receive up to 400 Chinese shoulder-fired air-defense systems within weeks

Sources report a $70 million deal to help Tehran rebuild defenses after Israeli and US strikes, with plans made to transport arms overland via Pakistan; Beijing denies report

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