Germany has summoned the Chinese ambassador to Berlin on Tuesday after accusing the Chinese Navy of using a laser to target a German surveillance aircraft over the Red Sea.
The aircraft participated in an EU maritime security mission in the region. The incident occurred on July 2 and allegedly involved a Chinese frigate operating near the Yemeni coast.
According to a spokesperson for Germany’s Defense Ministry, the aircraft was conducting a routine surveillance mission as part of the EU’s ASPIDES operation, a maritime security initiative launched in early 2024 to safeguard commercial shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
According to a Der Spiegel report, the Chinese warship — previously encountered in the area — allegedly targeted the German reconnaissance aircraft with a military-grade laser without any prior communication. In contrast to standard protocol, the crew of the Chinese vessel didn’t reportedly transmit any emergency radio frequency beforehand. As a result of the disorienting action, the mission was aborted and the aircraft returned to base in Djibouti. According to the report, no injuries or damage were caused to the crew or the aircraft.
Military-grade lasers can be used to temporarily blind pilots, damage electro-optical sensors, interfere with navigation systems, or ultimately heat and thereby damage various materials.
The targeted aircraft is believed to have been a specially equipped Beechcraft King Air 350, modified for aerial surveillance, with up to four Bundeswehr personnel onboard. Around 700 German soldiers are presently deployed in support of Operation ASPIDES. The German Bundestag extended the mission’s mandate earlier this year through October 2025.
China responds: Denial and call for dialogue
China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the German allegations. "The information released by Germany is completely inconsistent with the facts known to the Chinese side," said ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference on Wednesday.
“The Chinese Navy was carrying out escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and waters near Somalia, fulfilling its responsibilities as a major power and contributing to the security of international waterways,” Mao said, calling on both countries to adopt a “fact-based approach” and to "communicate promptly to avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments."
China's growing naval footprint around the Bab al-Mandab strait
Since 2008, China has maintained a growing naval presence in the region, officially as part of international counter-piracy efforts. In 2017, Beijing established its first overseas military base in Djibouti, near similar installations operated by the United States, Japan, France, and others — all vying for influence over the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a major strategic point for controlling global maritime trade routes.
According to China’s State Council Information Office, the Popular Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has deployed 45 fleets comprising 150 ships and 35,000 personnel over the past 15 years, escorting more than 7,200 commercial vessels through the strategic strait.
Western governments, including Germany, the United States, and even the EU, have expressed concern over China's growing ambitions in the region, particularly considering its increasing militarization and proximity to key maritime chokepoints.
While China has previously denied similar laser-related incidents involving US or allied military vehicles in the Indo-Pacific, direct confrontations with European NATO members are rare and potentially destabilizing.
The German government has not disclosed whether the laser incident resulted in any lasting damage, but emphasized that such “dangerous behavior must stop immediately.”