After the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, both nations are preparing for another possible conflict. Reports suggest that US President Donald Trump might give Israel the green light to attack Iran again, if Tehran tries to revive its nuclear programme.
As the threat of war looms, Iran has reportedly acquired a Chinese air defence system.
According to a report by UK-based Middle East Eye, Tehran received long-range HQ-9B surface-to-air missiles from Beijing, soon after the ceasefire with Israel was announced on June 24.
During the recent war, the Israeli Air Force was able to strike targets in Iran unhindered.
Israel reportedly crippled Iran’s air defence batteries and missile launchers in a covert sabotage operation before launching the aerial attack.
Despite the initial setback, Iran withstood the Israeli bombing and reactivated its air defence systems within a few days.
Iran is believed to use Russia's S-300, which is capable of engaging aircraft and UAVs. Tehran also uses cruise and ballistic missile interceptors, and older Chinese defence systems.
Also in its arsenal are locally produced batteries like the Khordad series and the Bavar-373. These air defence systems form the backbone of Iran’s aerial defence.
In the late 1980s, Iran received HY-2 Silkworm cruise missiles from China via North Korea during its war with Iraq.
The missiles helped Iran confront Iraqi aggression. However, they are now believed to be obsolete, as the military industry complex has changed drastically.
Reports suggest that Iran’s current air defence systems have limited ability to hit stealth fighters like the US-made F-35s.
To overcome shortcomings in aerial warfare, Iran is now strengthening its air defence and air force capabilities.
There were reports, earlier, of Iran's plan to buy Chinese 4.5-generation J-10 fighter jets. The deal was supposed to include PL-15 missiles capable of hitting targets beyond visual range.
Also read: Iran to buy Chinese J-10 fighter jets to counter advanced Israeli air combat technology?
Notably, Pakistan used the PL-15 during clashes with India. The Pakistan Air Force claimed to have downed a French-made 4.5-generation Rafale with the Chinese missile.
Iran turned to China after its other ally, Russia, failed to deliver the SU-35 fighter jets. Now it turns out, Tehran has approached Beijing, not just for offensive capabilities, but also to bolster its air defences.
The HQ-9 defence system is designed to track and destroy aircraft, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles.
The system was unveiled for the first time to the public during the military parade for the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
The HQ-9 is a derivative of the Russian S-300, but with radar, seeker head and C2 elements that are heavily influenced by American and Israeli technology.
The missile uses track-via-missile guidance -- combining inertial guidance, mid-course uplink, and terminal active radar.
While it is not clear how many HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles Iran has received, reports suggest Iran paid China for the weapons using oil shipments.
Notably, China buys 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil and condensate products. The shipment of SAMs marks a deepening of ties between Iran and China.
