Germany Accuses China Of Laser Targeting Its Aircraft In Red Sea EU Mission

Germany has accused a Chinese warship of pointing a laser at a German surveillance aircraft during an EU mission over the Red Sea earlier this month. The German government said the incident endangered its personnel and disrupted the operation, calling it “completely unacceptable.”

Following the event, Germany’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador to Berlin on Tuesday to raise its concerns formally. China has not yet responded publicly, and there has been no immediate comment from China’s foreign ministry or its embassy in Berlin.

The incident reportedly took place on July 2 while a German aircraft was flying a routine mission as part of Operation Aspides, an EU mission aimed at protecting international shipping routes in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Gulf.

The mission was launched in February 2024 in response to attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the region. It is described as purely defensive, focusing on maritime surveillance, merchant ship escort, and defense against strikes.

According to Germany’s Defence Ministry, the aircraft involved was contributing as a Multi-Sensor Platform (MSP), often referred to as a “flying eye,” which has been collecting reconnaissance data over the Red Sea since October 2023. The aircraft is operated by a civilian contractor but also carries members of the German armed forces.

German media, including Der Spiegel, reported that the aircraft was likely a specially configured Beechcraft King Air 350, flying from a base in Djibouti. During its mission, the aircraft approached a Chinese warship that had previously been seen several times in the area. The warship targeted the aircraft with a laser without any warning or communication.

Germany’s Defence Ministry said the laser endangered both the personnel on board and the aircraft itself. As a precaution, the mission flight was aborted, and the plane landed safely at the Djibouti base. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had civilian crew along with four German military personnel.

The type of laser used by the Chinese warship has not been identified. However, laser systems can vary in power, some can interfere with optics or human vision, while stronger ones can damage equipment or even burn through surfaces. According to Der Spiegel, any potential damage from the laser is still being investigated.

Although the flight had to be stopped that day, Germany’s Defence Ministry confirmed that the MSP aircraft has since resumed its operations as part of the Aspides mission. Incidents involving China and European NATO members are rare. However, China has previously been accused of similar laser-related actions.

In 2020, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said a Chinese warship had fired a laser at a U.S. patrol aircraft flying in international airspace west of Guam. At the time, China denied the claim, saying it did not match the facts.

Germany’s overall contribution to Operation Aspides includes up to 700 personnel. Though currently, only 23 German personnel are deployed for the mission. German warships in the mission have previously engaged Houthi drones and cruise missiles, with mixed success.

Reference: Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News