TEHRAN: Iran is close to finalizing an agreement with China to purchase the CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile, according to sources cited by Reuters.
The deal for the Chinese-manufactured CM-302 missiles is nearly complete, though the exact delivery timeline has not yet been agreed upon.
The CM-302 is a supersonic missile with a range of approximately 290 kilometers.
It is designed to fly at low altitude and high speed, enabling it to evade ship defense systems. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the state-owned developer, describes the CM-302 as one of the world’s best anti-ship missiles, capable of destroying even aircraft carriers or destroyers.
The missile system can be launched from naval vessels, aircraft, or ground-based mobile launchers, and it is also capable of striking land targets.
According to Iranian sources, acquiring these missiles would significantly enhance Iran’s defensive capabilities and pose a serious threat to U.S. naval forces in the region.
Reuters quoted three Iranian government officials and three security officials who said negotiations with China for the missile systems began at least two years ago but accelerated after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last year in June.
Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and expert at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel, stated: “If Iran acquires supersonic capability to target ships in the region, it would completely change the game. These missiles are very difficult to intercept.”
An Iranian Foreign Ministry official told Reuters that Iran has military and security agreements with its allies and that this is an appropriate time to benefit from them.
China’s Foreign Ministry told Reuters it had no information about the possible missile sale, while China’s Ministry of National Defense did not respond to requests for comment.
According to Peter Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the acquisition of the CM-302 would represent a major improvement to Iran.
