Germany Accuses China of Lasing Military Aircraft in Red Sea

Diplomatic Tension Over Laser Incident

Germany has formally accused China of targeting a military surveillance aircraft with a laser during an EU naval operation in the Red Sea. The German Foreign Ministry condemned the incident as "completely unacceptable," stating it endangered personnel and disrupted critical security operations.

Operational Details

The incident occurred last week when a Chinese naval vessel directed a laser at a German aircraft conducting reconnaissance flights for Operation Aspides. This EU mission, active since 2024, protects commercial shipping lanes from Houthi rebel attacks. Lasers can temporarily blind pilots and are classified as hostile acts under international aviation protocols.

Geopolitical Context

The accusation emerges weeks before a scheduled EU-China summit in Beijing. Recent reports suggest China might shorten or cancel the meeting. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized today that future cooperation depends on China addressing its support for Russia's military operations in Ukraine.

Regional Security Implications

Operation Aspides involves multiple EU nations, including the Netherlands, countering Houthi threats to global trade routes. The Red Sea remains volatile, with recent attacks on commercial vessels escalating insurance costs and shipping delays worldwide.