Tehran/Beijing, Feb 24 (.) Iran is reportedly close to finalising a major weapons deal with China, as it is moving closer to the purchase of Beijing’s advanced anti-ship CM-302 cruise missiles, in an attempt to modernise its ageing defence capabilities amid the massive US naval buildup near its waters.
The CM-302 missile system is a multi-platform supersonic anti-ship weapon with a reported range of around 290 kilometres (180 miles), and is designed to fly low and fast to evade shipborne air defences, with a speed of Mach 3.3, and a 250 kg high-explosive blast fragmentation warhead.
The missile would significantly strengthen Iran’s ability to target vessels in the Gulf and surrounding waters, and could give a significant boost to Iran’s heavily depleted stockpile following its 12-day-war with Israel.
While no delivery date has been set as of yet, and it’s yet to be determined how many missiles Iran will be purchasing, and at what cost, or whether it will go through with the deal at all, the prospect alone has set various countries on edge.
The deployment of CM-302 systems along Iran’s coastline could greatly complicate US naval operations in the region, particularly at a time when Washington has deployed multiple carrier strike groups and supporting assets within operational range of Iranian territory.
In addition to the CM-302, Iran is reportedly exploring the purchase of other Chinese systems, including surface-to-air missiles and anti-ballistic missile capabilities, amid a deepening military relationship between Tehran and Beijing.
Iran’s procurement efforts further complicate its ongoing arms embargo enforced by the international community, leading to massive scrutiny among global observers regarding any weapons purchases it makes.
The UN first enacted an arms embargo on the Islamic Republic back in 2006, later eventually being eased in 2015 under its nuclear agreement with the US. All its pre-2015 sanctions were subsequently reimposed last September by the UNSC, after finding Iran’s programme to be in breach of its 2015 terms.
This purchase would significantly bolster its maritime defence capabilities, as this comes just after Tehran reportedly acquired Russia’s advanced Mi-28NE “Night Hunter” attack helicopter, as part of an earlier 2023 defence agreement.
The export version of the helicopter is equipped with a 30mm cannon, air-to-ground missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, unguided bombs, heavy armour, and is designed for low-altitude operations in both day and night conditions.
Taken in combination with the Russian helicopter, Iran’s purchase of the Chinese cruise missile would mark a significant qualitative boost for the Islamic Republic, integrating its ageing weapons with the latest weapon technologies to date. . . .