China Reportedly Plans Major MANPADS Shipment to Iran

China is reportedly planning to supply Iran with a large batch of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), Reuters reports. Sources cited by the news agency said the agreement covers the purchase of between 300 and 400 MANPADS, including Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missile systems. The equipment is expected to be flown first to Urumqi in western China before being transported through Pakistan to Iran. The agreement is valued at between $60 million and $70 million. According to Reuters, it represents one of Tehran's largest efforts to reinforce its short-range air defense capabilities since the outbreak of its conflict with the United States and Israel.