Reuters reported, citing its sources, that Iran is expected to receive within weeks the first shipment of up to 400 Chinese-made man-portable air defense systems. The agency indicated, in a report published by it, that the value of the deal is estimated at between 60 and 70 million dollars, and is considered one of the largest known efforts made by Tehran to strengthen its short-range air defenses since the outbreak of its war with the United States and Israel. The sources confirmed that the contract includes the purchase of between 300 and 400 portable air defense systems, including Chinese-made QW-12 and FN-16 missiles. She added that the deal was signed with Chongqing Baoshang International Investment Company, a Hong Kong-based company, noting that it was acting as an intermediary between the Iranian side and the Chinese supplier. The report noted that the delivery of hundreds of man-portable air defense systems would significantly expand Iran's stock of short-range air defense weapons, and confirm the deepening of military relations with China.