Germany is claiming that China targeted one of its aircraft with a laser while it was engaged in a European Union operation in the Red Sea. According to a Reuters report, Germany’s foreign ministry requested a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador today (July 8) to discuss the situation. The laser is said to have come from a Chinese surface warship.
The German aircraft (model not specified) was operated by a civilian contractor with military personnel on board. It is reported to have been executing a “flying eye” reconnaissance mission and had been in the area since last October. The ministry said in a post on social media platform X, “Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable.”
China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond and the country’s German embassy did not immediately answer an inquiry from Reuters. German aircraft had encountered the Chinese warship multiple times in the area, and a ministry spokesman said it had targeted aircraft with lasers several times for no apparent reason, during routine flights.
“By using the laser,” the German spokesman said, “the warship put at risk the safety of personnel and material,” adding that the reconnaissance flight was aborted as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely at a base in Djibouti.
Return fire? Lasers are weapons, so defend yourself?
Yeah, I know - that would be “provocative.” Can’t have that…
When will the world learn . China is not your friend, China is not to be trusted. China wants to rule the world! Selling them engines so an American company partly owned by a foreign company can make money is very shortsighted.
From Russ: No f-bombs, please.
Someone will get really hurt, then the shooting will really start.
Recall a big UAV was downed by a Russian fighter bumping its propeller.
And the BC Ferry service is ordering ferries from CC, because price is low.
Ignorant of past problems with fabrication quality of bridge pieces from CC.
(Earlier ferry orders were filled by companies in NW Europe, including in Poland.)
European countries should be hitting the Houthis hard, as shipping through the Suez canal benefits their residents, not the US whose west coast is the short route from China and whose east coast is the short route to Europe.
(Though the Panama Canal gives a route.)
Germany is well versed in protesting all kinds of stuff. Dont expect too much more, though.
Russia came close to shooting down one of its own airlines, near Moscow which is nervous about Ukrainian UAVs.