Germany Summons Chinese Envoy After Military Laser Incident In Red Sea

 

Germany has summoned China’s ambassador following a serious military incident in which a Chinese warship allegedly targeted a German surveillance aircraft with a laser during a European Union naval operation in the Red Sea.

The German Foreign Ministry condemned the act on Tuesday, calling it “completely unacceptable” for putting German personnel at risk and interfering with an international mission. The incident occurred in early July during a routine flight as part of the EU’s ASPIDES operation, which safeguards commercial shipping routes in the region.

According to Germany’s Defense Ministry, the targeted aircraft — a Multi-Sensor Platform (MSP), also known as a "flying eye" — has been involved in aerial reconnaissance since October. The MSP is operated by a civilian contractor with participation from the German military and plays a key role in enhancing situational awareness for international partners.

The ministry stated that the laser strike came without warning or prior communication from the Chinese warship, despite previous encounters in the area. The unexpected targeting forced the mission to be aborted out of caution, though the aircraft landed safely at a base in Djibouti. The deployment has since resumed.

“The use of a laser in this manner endangered both personnel and equipment,” a defense ministry spokesperson said.

There has been no official response from the Chinese government or its embassy in Berlin.

The event comes amid growing EU anxiety over Beijing’s increasing presence in global security domains and its influence on critical European infrastructure and technologies. While confrontations between China and the U.S. military have become more common in recent years, direct incidents involving European NATO members and China remain rare.

A similar incident occurred in 2020 when the U.S. Pacific Fleet accused a Chinese warship of firing a laser at a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft near Guam, a claim China denied.

Germany’s summoning of the Chinese envoy signals a diplomatic escalation and reflects the EU’s heightened sensitivity to any threat against its joint military and maritime operations.