Tehran, July 11 - In the wake of a 12-day conflict with Israel that concluded with a ceasefire on June 24, 2025, Iran has reportedly initiated a rapid rebuilding of its air defense infrastructure, significantly bolstered by the acquisition of Chinese-made HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. This development marks a deepening of military cooperation between Tehran and Beijing, driven by Iran’s urgent need to restore defenses decimated by Israeli airstrikes and a strategic alignment that leverages China’s role as Iran’s largest oil importer. The transfer of these advanced systems, reportedly facilitated through an oil-for-weapons barter arrangement, underscores a calculated effort to circumvent U.S. sanctions while enhancing Iran’s ability to counter regional aerial threats.
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The HQ-9B, developed by the China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC), is a sophisticated air defense system inspired by Russia’s S-300 but incorporating Chinese radar and electronics advancements, as well as some technologies derived from American and Israeli designs. Capable of intercepting aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and certain ballistic missiles, the HQ-9B boasts a range of up to 260 kilometers and an altitude ceiling of approximately 27 kilometers. Its radar system, featuring an HT-233 S-band phased array, provides 360-degree surveillance and can track up to 100 targets while engaging six to eight simultaneously. While the system has not been tested in active combat, Chinese military exercises have demonstrated its potential to counter stealth targets and high-speed projectiles, making it a significant upgrade for Iran’s air defense network, which currently relies on Russian S-300 systems, older Chinese models, and domestically produced systems like the Khordad and Bavar-373.
Iran’s air defenses were heavily targeted during the recent conflict, with Israeli precision strikes using advanced weaponry, including BrahMos missiles, French SCALP cruise missiles, and Israeli Harop drones, exposing vulnerabilities in Tehran’s existing systems. The S-300, considered Iran’s most advanced defense platform prior to the HQ-9B acquisition, proved largely ineffective against these attacks, prompting Iran to seek more robust solutions. The HQ-9B systems are expected to replace or reinforce installations near critical nuclear and military facilities, enhancing Iran’s layered defense strategy. This move is particularly significant given the limitations of Iran’s current systems against modern threats like U.S. and Israeli stealth aircraft, such as the F-35, which have demonstrated the ability to penetrate Iranian airspace. The oil-for-weapons deal reflects a long-standing pattern of military cooperation between China and Iran, dating back to the 1980s when Iran acquired HY-2 Silkworm missiles via North Korea during the Iran-Iraq War. More recently, reports from 2010 suggested Iran had received earlier HQ-9 variants, indicating a gradual expansion of this partnership. China’s strategic interest lies in bolstering Iran as a counterweight to U.S. and Israeli influence in the Middle East, while securing access to nearly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports. This arrangement allows Iran to bypass U.S. sanctions, which restrict arms purchases and oil exports, by using covert trade routes, reportedly through countries like Malaysia.
However, the effectiveness of the HQ-9B in Iran’s hands remains uncertain. The system’s performance in Pakistan, where it failed to intercept Indian strikes during Operation Sindoor and Iranian attacks in Balochistan in 2024, has raised questions about its reliability against advanced adversaries. Iran’s ability to integrate the HQ-9B into its existing defense framework, which includes a mix of Russian, Chinese, and domestic systems, will be critical. Additionally, the United States and its Arab allies have been briefed on Iran’s rearmament efforts, raising concerns about a potential shift in the regional balance of power. Israel has signaled the possibility of further strikes to disrupt Iran’s military buildup, particularly targeting its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, which could test the HQ-9B’s capabilities sooner rather than later. This acquisition not only strengthens Iran’s defensive posture but also signals China’s growing role as a global arms supplier, challenging Russia’s traditional dominance in the Middle East arms market. Countries like Egypt, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan have also adopted the HQ-9B, reflecting Beijing’s flexible export policies compared to Western restrictions. For Iran, the HQ-9B represents a critical step toward rebuilding a credible air defense network, but its success will depend on operational integration and the evolving dynamics of Middle Eastern geopolitics.