Iran is expected to receive within weeks a first shipment out of up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers, three sources familiar with the deal said, as it rebuilds its defenses amid war with the United States.
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 U.S. and Israel, which exposed gaps in Iran¡¯s ability to protect military ?sites and strategic infrastructure.
The contract covers the purchase of between 300 and 400 man-portable air defense systems (MANPADs), including Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missiles, the sources ?said.
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