Did China help rebuild Iran’s defences ahead of US-Israel strikes? Missiles, radars and drones in focus

Iranians visit an exhibition showcasing missile and drone achievements in Tehran on November 12, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

An intelligence report suggests China is aiding Iran’s military rebuild through technology, components, and negotiations, including missile systems, radars, and drone tech, despite Beijing denying direct arms transfers amid ongoing US and Israeli conflicts.

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Even as China has officially denied direct arms transfers to Iran, questions continue to surface about Beijing’s role in strengthening Tehran’s defensive capabilities amid the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel. According to an intelligence note accessed by CNN-News18, much of the cooperation between the two countries involves components, access to technology, or negotiations rather than openly acknowledged large-scale weapons deliveries.

The report indicates that Iran’s military rebuilding effort has relied on a mix of domestic adaptation and support from partners such as Russia. However, Chinese systems, components and potential transfers have also been discussed as part of efforts to rebuild Iran’s air defence and missile capabilities after recent strikes.

Below is a closer look at the key systems and components mentioned in the intelligence assessment accessed by CNN-News18.

CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles

One of the most significant potential transfers involves the CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile, an export version of China’s YJ-12 missile.

According to the intelligence note accessed by CNN-News18, negotiations for the system took place in 2025 following the 12-day conflict involving Iran. The discussions were reportedly close to completion by February 2026.

The CM-302 is designed primarily as a high-speed anti-ship weapon capable of targeting large naval vessels such as aircraft carriers, destroyers and other warships. The missile has an estimated range of 290 to 460 kilometres and carries a 500-kilogram warhead.

Its sea-skimming flight profile and evasion features make it particularly difficult to intercept. If transferred, the system could significantly enhance Iran’s ability to threaten naval forces, including US aircraft carriers operating in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports cited in the intelligence note accessed by CNN-News18 suggest that senior Iranian officials travelled to China during the summer of 2025 to finalise the deal. Beijing has publicly denied that the agreement was completed.

HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile systems

Another major system mentioned in the intelligence assessment is the HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile system.

This system is designed for strategic air and missile defence and is typically used to protect critical locations such as nuclear facilities, major cities and military bases from aerial threats.

According to the note accessed by CNN-News18, deliveries and integration of HQ-9B systems began during the summer of 2025. The systems were reportedly deployed around sensitive sites, including nuclear facilities.

The HQ-9B has an estimated range of 200 to 260 kilometres and is capable of intercepting targets at high altitude. It is often compared to advanced Russian air defence systems such as the S-300 and S-400.

The system was intended to help rebuild Iran’s depleted air defence network after the 2025 strikes. However, recent US and Israeli operations in 2026 have highlighted challenges in the system’s performance against advanced threats.

YLC-8B long-range surveillance radars

The intelligence note also highlights the possible supply of YLC-8B UHF long-range surveillance radars.

These radars are used for early warning and surveillance within integrated air defence networks. They are designed to detect stealth aircraft and ballistic threats at extended distances.

According to the information accessed by CNN-News18, multiple YLC-8B units were reportedly integrated into Iran’s air defence network beginning in 2025.

The radar operates in the UHF frequency band, which makes it more effective at detecting low-observable aircraft such as the F-35 and B-2. This capability helps counter stealth technology and electronic jamming.

The system forms part of a broader layered air defence network that provides early warning and supports other air defence systems.

Missile propellant ingredients and key components

The intelligence note also points to transfers involving missile fuel ingredients and components.

These include materials such as sodium perchlorate, which can be converted into ammonium perchlorate, an oxidiser that forms around 70 percent of the solid fuel used in many ballistic missiles.

According to the intelligence assessment accessed by CNN-News18, approximately 1,000 tonnes of sodium perchlorate were reportedly transferred in February 2025.

This quantity is considered sufficient to support the production of 200 to 300 ballistic missiles, including Iranian systems such as Haj Qasem and Kheibar Shekan.

These missiles are used for precision strikes, saturation attacks or for supply to proxy forces.

The report also suggests that additional shipments of dual-use components continued through late 2025 and early 2026 through Chinese firms already under sanctions.

Loitering munitions and drone systems

Another area mentioned in the intelligence note involves loitering munitions, commonly referred to as kamikaze drones.

These systems are designed to hover over a target area, identify targets and then strike by diving directly onto them in a one-way attack.

According to the information accessed by CNN-News18, deliveries of such systems were reported during 2025 and 2026, potentially to replenish Iranian drone stockpiles after recent conflicts.

The systems are described as being similar in concept to Iran’s Shahed-136 drones, though some reports suggest Chinese-origin variants may have been discussed.

Broader technological cooperation

Beyond specific weapons systems, the intelligence note suggests possible cooperation in areas such as ISR technologies, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

There are also reports of discussions involving MANPADS systems, anti-ballistic technologies and even anti-satellite capabilities, though these claims remain less confirmed than the hardware transfers mentioned above.

Overall, the intelligence assessment accessed by CNN-News18 indicates that China’s role in Iran’s military rebuilding may be more complex than direct weapons sales. Instead, it appears to involve a mix of technology access, components, negotiations and limited system integration as Tehran attempts to rebuild its defence architecture amid escalating regional tensions.