Berlin, July 10 - The German government issued a strong diplomatic protest, accusing a Chinese warship, On July 9, 2025, of targeting a German surveillance aircraft with a laser over the Red Sea. The incident, which occurred earlier in July, involved a German multi-sensor platform plane participating in the European Union’s Operation Aspides, a maritime security mission launched in February 2024 to protect commercial shipping from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Berlin described the act as “completely unacceptable,” stating that it endangered German personnel and disrupted the mission. The Chinese ambassador to Germany was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Berlin to address the matter, highlighting the severity of the incident and its implications for international maritime security.
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The German aircraft, known as a “flying eye” for its advanced reconnaissance capabilities, was operated by a civilian contractor but carried German military personnel. According to the German Defense Ministry, the plane was conducting a routine patrol off the coast of Yemen when it was targeted by a laser from a Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel. The warship, which had been encountered multiple times in the region, reportedly used the laser without prior communication or apparent reason. As a precaution, the aircraft aborted its mission and safely returned to a base in Djibouti, where it was inspected for potential damage. No injuries were reported, and the plane has since resumed operations in the Red Sea. The German Foreign Ministry emphasized that the incident posed a serious risk to the safety of its personnel and equipment, underscoring the need for adherence to international rules of engagement in shared waters.
China’s Foreign Ministry swiftly denied the allegations, with spokesperson Mao Ning stating that Germany’s claims were “completely inconsistent with the facts.” Beijing did not provide a detailed counter-narrative but defended the presence of its navy in the region, citing its role in resupplying ships, supporting peacekeeping, and combating piracy. China established a permanent naval base in Djibouti in 2016, strategically located near the Red Sea, which has raised concerns among Western nations about potential espionage due to its proximity to U.S. and European military facilities. This incident is not the first of its kind; in 2018, the U.S. accused Chinese forces of using lasers to interfere with American aircraft in Djibouti, causing minor eye injuries to pilots. Similar accusations have been made by Australia and the Philippines in recent years, pointing to a pattern of Chinese military use of lasers against Western forces.
The Red Sea, a critical global trade route carrying approximately 12% of seaborne commerce, has become increasingly volatile due to Houthi attacks on commercial vessels since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. The EU’s Aspides mission, involving up to 700 German troops alongside contributions from other European nations, aims to safeguard this waterway. The laser incident has heightened tensions between Germany and China, raising concerns about the safety of military operations in contested regions and the broader implications for NATO-China relations. While the aircraft sustained no confirmed damage, the event underscores the challenges of maintaining maritime security amid rising geopolitical rivalries.