For years, the Islamic Regime has amassed a significant arsenal of advanced weaponry. WikIran editorial team managed to expose, analyze and successfully demonstrate how the regime and its security apparatus fund their malign activities, most notably through MODAFL's Sahara Thunder and AFGS' Sepehr Energy Jahan. However, the end products purchased with these funds have remained largely unknown. Until now. It is no secret that China is Iran's main petroleum customer, with estimates suggesting that approximately 90% of Iran’s oil exports are destined for China. Consequently, it is highly plausible that Iran may utilize its oil funds to purchase Chinese weapons, including the CM-302 Anti-Ship Supersonic Missiles.

These Missiles are an export version of the YJ-12 Supersonic Multi-Purpose Anti-Missile Weapon System used by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is highly effective against 5000-ton vessels.

The specifications of the CM-302 missiles are as follows:

The Chinese notion of selling these missiles to dubious countries is not new, and Iran is not the first country to attempt to purchase the CM-302, despite being a strategic ally of China: Both the Algerian Army and the Pakistan Navy have already acquired this missile system, according to media reports. CASIC (China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation), a state-owned Chinese company, is a sanctioned entity by the US Treasury since 2020 and one of the biggest Chinese producers of missile-based weapon systems, including the CM-302.

However, the likely culprit behind the sale of CM-302 missile to Iran is CPMIEC (China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation), another state-owned Chinese corporation that operates primarily in the air-defense systems business. CPMIEC is the official exporter of the CM-302 and showcases it at various arms Expos. Notably, CPMIEC was designated by US Authorities in June 2006 for supplying Iranian defense industries, possibly for providing C-802 anti-ship missiles.

CPMIEC presents the CM-302 missiles at the DIMDEX 2024 arms expo, as covered by military journalist Umair Aslam

Despite the potential financial benefits of selling advanced CM-302 missiles, exporting CM-302 missiles or their equivalent to Iran could be counterproductive for China.

Iran has a long history of reverse-engineering advanced weapons, modifying them to different specifications, mass producing them and selling them. These modified weapons are not only used for domestic purposes but also become highly sought-after export products. Therefore, acquiring the CM-302, even for a high price, could serve as a financial investment for Iran’s Ministry of Defense (MODAFL). After unraveling the CM-302’s secrets, including its supersonic capabilities, MODAFL could potentially export their version on international arms markets, creating detrimental competition for Chinese defense industries. Furthermore, unlike China, Iran has fewer reservations about adhering to international laws or moral standards. As discussed in the past, Iran has already made Russia and other pariah countries happy client for its arms, including drones.

Moreover, advanced Chinese arms, reverse-engineered and tailored to different specifications, have already been distributed across the Middle East by Iran, causing chaos. A prominent example that was covered by the Western media is the Houthis' use of reverse-engineered Chinese C-802 missiles against US aviation carriers and commercial shipping vessels. Those missiles, originally supplied by CPMIEC, were rebranded by Iran as the Nour, Ghader and Ghadir missiles.

It is highly unlikely that arming Iran and its proxies with even more advanced anti-ship supersonic missiles will make the Persian Gulf a safer sea. Experience has taught us otherwise. In conclusion, WikIran calls on China, and CPMIEC specifically, to refrain from selling advanced arms to the Islamic Republic in general, and CM-302 in particular. Any short-term financial benefits arising from such deals will likely develop into long-term consequences, crowding out Chinese arms producers from the same market they created with their products.