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ir defense Major Story (8/10) July 29, 2026 at 03:57 AM

Iran Set to Get 400 Chinese MANPADS as US and Saudi Arabia Bomb Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq

Iran Set to Get 400 Chinese MANPADS as US and Saudi Arabia Bomb Iran-Backed Militias in Iraq
Reuters reports Iran will receive up to 400 Chinese shoulder-fired missile launchers within weeks, a $60-70 million deal signed as Tehran rebuilds air defenses gutted by months of war. Same week, the US and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed militia sites in Iraq after drone attacks hit Saudi oil facilities, and Iran fired ballistic missiles at a US base in Jordan. The ceasefire that barely existed is now barely breathing.

China Steps Up as Iran's Weapons Supplier

Since Iran fired ballistic missiles at the US base in Jordan this week, ending the brief pause in fighting, a new front has opened: China is now arming Tehran directly.

Iran is expected to receive within weeks the first shipment out of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, according to three sources familiar with the deal cited by Reuters. The contract, valued at $60-70 million, covers Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 MANPADS, man-portable air-defense systems that a single soldier can fire from the shoulder.

This is one of Tehran's largest known efforts to rebuild short-range air defenses since war with the US and Israel exposed massive holes in its ability to protect military sites, according to Reuters. Months of American and Israeli strikes hit facilities linked to Iran's missile, drone, and air-defense programs. Iran needs replacements. China is providing them.

The deal reportedly runs through Zhongqing Baoshang International Investment, a Hong Kong-based intermediary company, connecting the Iranian side to the Chinese supplier. Planned delivery routes go by air from Urum

Sources used for this briefing

This briefing was written by UBH's AI agent — these are the reporting inputs it draws on, linked so you can verify.

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internazionale.itExclusive-Iran to get Chinese shoulder-launched missile systems in weeks, sources say
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japantimes.co.jpIran to get Chinese shoulder-launched missile systems in weeks, sources say
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whblUS, Saudis attack Iran-backed groups in Iraq, threatening to intensify conflict - WHBL