Not acceptable: Germany summons Chinese ambassador after German plane targeted by laser gun

Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador this week after a Chinese warship allegedly targeted a German reconnaissance aircraft with a laser during an EU maritime security operation in the Red Sea according to Reuters. The German government called the action a serious breach of conduct and a threat to personnel safety, as tensions grow in Europe over China’s role in critical security infrastructure.

German aircraft targeted by laser in Red Sea

“Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable,” the German foreign ministry stated on social media platform X. The German aircraft, a Multi-Sensor Platform (MSP), was conducting a routine surveillance flight when it was laser-targeted by a Chinese warship without prior warning or communication.

The incident occurred in early July during Germany’s participation in Operation Aspides, an EU military initiative launched in February 2024 to safeguard international shipping in the southern Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militants.

Flight aborted as precaution, operation resumes

According to Germany’s defence ministry, the MSP aircraft—operated by a civilian commercial provider with German military personnel onboard—aborted its mission as a precaution and landed safely at a base in Djibouti. The ministry stated that the use of the laser endangered both personnel and equipment. The mission has since resumed.

The defence ministry noted that the MSP’s surveillance data significantly contributes to the overall maritime situational awareness shared with EU partners.

China yet to respond

There has been no immediate response from China’s foreign ministry or its embassy in Berlin. In the past, China has denied accusations of using lasers against foreign aircraft. In a 2020 incident, the U.S. Pacific Fleet accused a Chinese warship of firing a laser at a U.S. patrol aircraft over international waters west of Guam—an allegation that China rejected.

Operation Aspides: A multilateral EU effort

Operation Aspides is a joint EU military mission focused on ensuring the freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most strategic maritime routes. The operation includes contributions from multiple EU member states, such as Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Sweden. It was launched in response to repeated attacks on commercial vessels by Houthi militants, aiming to stabilise shipping routes critical to global trade.

(With inputs from Reuters)