China Military Uses Laser on US Ally's Aircraft: What to Know
The aircraft was taking part in the EU's Operation ASPIDES, a defensive maritime security operation to protect international shipping in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf against Houthi attacks.
"Endangering German personnel & disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable," the foreign office said in a July 8 post on X, formerly Twitter. "The Chinese ambassador was summoned to the Federal Foreign Office today."
Newsweek has contacted the Chinese foreign ministry and Germany's Federal Foreign Office for comment.
The incident comes amid growing concern about China's influence on critical technologies and security infrastructure in Europe.
Up to 700 German armed forces personnel were taking part in the EU-led operation in the Red Sea to prepare for Houthi attacks on key trade routes, according to German newspaper Der Spiegel, after Berlin had extended its participation in the mission in January.
As well as Germany, the mission involves Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands and Sweden. The U.S. carried out a bombing campaign against the Houthis earlier this year to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
The paper said that China had targeted a German reconnaissance aircraft off the coast of Yemen, without specifying the model of plane.
Der Spiegel said the incident occurred when the aircraft was approaching a Chinese frigate.
"Possible damage is still unclear and is still being investigated," the paper added, according to a translation.
Another German outlet, Taggeschau, reported an unspecified Chinese warship directed a laser at the aircraft.
China's defense ministry announced its military presence in the area on June 10.
It said its 47th naval escort taskforce was in the Gulf of Aden where it was conducting underway replenishment (UNREP) in which fuel, munitions, and stores are transferred from one ship to another. The statement named the supply ship Gaoyouhu and the guided-missile destroyer Baotou.
The taskforce also carried out training for ship-borne helicopter flights and light weapons live-fire shooting.
German foreign ministry on X: "Endangering German personnel & disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable."
The Chinese ambassador has been summoned to Germany's Federal Foreign Office so there will be anticipation over the diplomatic fallout following Berlin's claims, which have not been confirmed by Beijing.
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