A photo montage shows a German surveillance aircraft, the Beechcraft Super King Air, being targeted by a Chinese laser beam.
The Red Sea has become a tense and contested zone, involving not just the active conflict between Israel and Yemen, but also the presence of several major world powers. As a result, confrontations between national militaries have become increasingly likely—one of which reportedly occurred between a German reconnaissance plane and a Chinese warship.
According to Reuters:
“Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador to the foreign ministry on Tuesday after saying China’s military had laser targeted a German aircraft taking part in an EU operation in the Red Sea.”
This latest development adds to growing concerns over China’s expanding role in global security dynamics. The incident, which occurred in early July, was only publicly disclosed today.
“‘Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable’, said Germany’s foreign ministry on social media platform X.”
The German aircraft was part of the EU’s ASPIDES mission, which aims to safeguard international sea routes in the Red Sea. It had been operating as a Multi-Sensor Platform—essentially a “flying eye” used for reconnaissance—since October.
The Chinese warship in question had been spotted multiple times in the area. Reports state the laser was directed at the German aircraft without warning or provocation.
“‘By using the laser, the warship put at risk the safety of personnel and material’, said the spokesperson, adding the mission flight was aborted as a precaution and the aircraft landed safely at a base in Djibouti.”
While incidents between U.S. and Chinese forces have been more common, such direct engagements involving European assets are rare.
“In 2020, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said a Chinese warship had fired a laser at a U.S. naval patrol aircraft flying in airspace above international waters west of Guam. China said that did not accord with the facts.”
As of now, Chinese officials have not issued a response to the German allegations.
