"Germany calls in China's ambassador after laser incident involving spy aircraft"

Chinese Ambassador Summoned After Laser Incident Involving German Aircraft

The German foreign ministry has called in China’s ambassador in Berlin following an incident where a Chinese warship directed a laser at a German aircraft participating in a European Union operation to secure maritime routes in the Red Sea.

“The risk to German personnel and the interference with the mission are entirely unacceptable,” the ministry stated on X.

A spokesperson for the German defense ministry confirmed that the aircraft involved earlier this month was a surveillance plane equipped with multiple sensors. The aircraft, known for its long-range maritime observation capabilities, is flown by civilian pilots while carrying military staff.

According to an emailed statement, the plane was performing a “routine mission over the Red Sea” when it was “irregularly targeted by a laser from a Chinese warship previously seen in the area, without prior communication.” The spokesperson added, “This action unnecessarily endangered lives and equipment.”

As a safety measure, the mission was aborted, and the aircraft landed safely at its base in Djibouti. No injuries were reported, and flights have since continued as normal.

China’s embassy has not yet commented on the summoning of its ambassador, Deng Hongbo.

The EU launched its Aspides mission—named after the ancient Greek term for “shields”—in February 2024 as a protective effort to ensure safe navigation in the Red Sea. Officials overseeing the operation deferred questions to the German government.

The German military is authorized a deployment of up to 700 personnel for this mission.

According to a report by Der Spiegel, the incident near Yemen involved a reconnaissance aircraft leased by Germany and stationed in Djibouti, with capacity for four soldiers.

The laser strike allegedly occurred as the aircraft neared a Chinese warship. Reportedly, the Chinese crew did not follow standard protocol by failing to establish radio contact.

It remains unclear whether the German plane sustained damage or was undergoing inspection, but the event has led to reduced air activity in the area.

This is not the first accusation against China’s military for using lasers against Western forces, a tactic that can impair pilots’ vision and disrupt aircraft systems.

In 2018, the U.S. accused Chinese personnel of targeting American pilots with high-power lasers at the military base in Djibouti, where operations focus on counterterrorism in East Africa and Yemen.

In one instance, two C-130 crew members reportedly sustained minor eye injuries upon landing. The U.S. subsequently lodged a formal diplomatic protest.