Iran is buying Chinese-made shoulder-fired air defence missiles (MANPADS) to strengthen its air defence capability after months of conflict with the United States and Israel. Reuters reported the information, citing three sources familiar with the matter.
The sources say 300 to 400 QW-12 and FN-16 MANPADS are being bought in a deal worth 60 to 70 million US dollars. The first consignment may reach Iran within the next few weeks. China’s foreign ministry has rejected the report as “completely baseless.” Iran’s foreign ministry made no immediate comment.
The Reuters report said Iran had taken steps to rebuild its defence systems after installations connected with its missile, drone and air defence programmes were damaged in the recent war. The move to buy the new weapons is thought to have been taken against that background.
Under the plan, the first consignment will be sent by air from Urumqi in western China. It was to reach Iran by way of Pakistan, but Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) has dismissed as entirely false the claim that the country is involved in supplying air defence weapons from China to Iran.
According to military analysts, MANPADS are easy to carry and quick to deploy. They are harder to detect and destroy than fixed air defence systems. They can also build an effective defence against drones, helicopters and low-flying combat aircraft.
European and Middle Eastern security sources say talks are under way on several other possible deals for the sale of QW-12, QW-18 and QW-19 series MANPADS to Iran. Reuters had earlier reported that Iran had also come close to a separate deal to buy anti-ship cruise missiles from China.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report