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Germany accuses China of laser targeting EU missions
Germany has summoned the Chinese ambassador after China's military laser-targeted a German plane taking part in an EU mission in the Red Sea. A critical event in the current geopolitical situation.
Germany accuses China of laser targeting EU missions
Berlin - On Tuesday, Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador to the Foreign Office after it emerged that the Chinese military had targeted a German aircraft with a laser as part of an EU operation in the Red Sea.
Tensions between Germany and China
This escalation of conflict comes at a time when there are increasing concerns in the EU about Chinese influence on critical technologies and security infrastructure in Europe. The German Foreign Ministry commented on this on the social media platform X: “Putting German personnel in danger and disrupting the mission are completely unacceptable.”
There is no reaction from China
An immediate statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry was awaited. The Chinese embassy in Berlin also did not initially respond to an email query.
Details of the Red Sea incident
The German Defense Ministry said the aircraft, part of the EU ASPIDES mission that protects international sea routes in the Red Sea, has been contributing to reconnaissance in the area since October as a multi-sensor platform, also known as a “flying eye.” A Chinese warship, which has been spotted several times in the region, targeted the aircraft with a laser during a routine flight without any apparent reason or prior communication. The incident occurred at the beginning of July.
Consequences for the mission
“The use of the laser jeopardized the safety of personnel and material deployment,” the ministry spokesman said, adding that the flight was aborted as a precautionary measure and the aircraft landed safely at a base in Djibouti. The use of the multisensor platform (MSP) as part of ASPIDES has now been resumed.
Contribution to the security situation of the partners
The MSP is operated by a civilian service provider in which members of the German armed forces are also involved. According to the ministry, the amount of data collected contributes significantly to the partners' situational awareness.
Previous incidents with China
China has previously denied allegations of attacking or firing lasers at American aircraft. Incidents involving a European NATO member and China are comparatively rare. In 2020, the US Pacific Fleet said a Chinese warship pointed a laser at a US naval patrol ship flying over international waters west of Guam. China rejected these claims, saying they were not true.