ROSTOV REGION, RUSSIA — Russian state television footage has shown a mobile air defense unit from Russia’s 51st Air Defense Division operating an unidentified shoulder-fired missile system that appears similar to Chinese QW-series MANPADS.
The footage was broadcast by the state-owned Rossiya 1 channel during an exercise in the Rostov region. Russian servicemen referred to the weapon as “Iva.” The footage was later highlighted by OSINT researcher TheDeadDistrict on September 28 and examined by the Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi.
The weapon does not appear to match Russian Igla-S or Verba MANPADS. Instead, its shape resembles the Chinese QW-18A and QW-19 and the Iranian Misagh-3. No visible markings identifying the manufacturer or model were seen on the launcher or missile.
Chinese origin appears possible
A detailed comparison found an additional protruding element on the nose section of the launcher. Militarnyi reported that this feature is visible on Chinese QW-series systems but is absent from publicly available images of the Iranian Misagh-3.
This makes a Chinese origin appear possible, although the available footage is not sufficient to confirm it. A newer Iranian variant cannot be completely excluded. The exact Chinese model also remains unclear and could be either the QW-18 or QW-19.
The QW-18 is a Chinese short-range MANPADS with a dual-band passive infrared seeker and improved resistance to countermeasures. The QW-19, revealed as an upgraded system, features a digital seeker, a contact-proximity fuse and four control fins. Both are designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones, with reported ranges of about 5 kilometers and ceilings of around 4 kilometers.
Possible route through Iran
The weapons could have reached Russia directly from China or through Iran, which operates and procures Chinese air-defense systems. Iran's Misagh family is based on Chinese QW-series technology, while Pakistan also produces similar systems under the Anza-2 designation.
In July 2026, reports said Iran had concluded a deal with China for up to 400 MANPADS, including QW-12 and FN-16 systems, in a transaction estimated at $60 million to $70 million. Chinese QW-18 systems have also previously appeared in Iranian service with markings on their launchers and missiles.
The reported Iranian procurement does not prove that the Russian weapons came through Iran.
Growing demand for mobile air defense
The Russian unit shown in the footage is a mobile fire group, which operates from light vehicles and is used for short-range air defense, including against low-flying drones.
The presence of a potentially foreign-made MANPADS in the unit raises questions about Russia's supply of short-range air-defense weapons during the war. However, the footage alone does not establish that China supplied the system directly to Russia or that Iran transferred it.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies have previously reported Chinese military-related supplies to Russia, including artillery-related systems and propellant, and have also assessed that Russian-Chinese military cooperation includes the localized production of Chinese weapons in Russia.
For now, the weapon shown in the Russian footage remains unidentified, with the Chinese QW-18/QW-19 family appearing visually closer than the Iranian Misagh-3, but without enough evidence to establish the exact model or its supply route.
——— End of Article ———
