Incident at a Glance

Germany’s Foreign Office confirmed on 8 July 2025 that a Chinese warship used a military-grade laser to “illuminate” a German surveillance aircraft operating over the southern Red Sea. The aircraft was flying in support of EU Naval Mission Operation Aspides, when its crew detected the laser beam, aborted the mission, and safely returned to base in Djibouti.

Immediate Diplomatic Fallout

Berlin swiftly summoned the Chinese ambassador, condemning the act as “entirely unacceptable” and lodging a formal diplomatic protest. Germany warned the incident endangered both personnel and military equipment, characterizing it as the most serious rebuke of PLA Navy actions since it issued its 2024 China strategy.

Germany’s Account of the Incident

According to the German Defence Ministry, the laser targeting occurred without warning or radio contact during a routine patrol. While analysts are still determining whether it was a dazzler (used to blind sensors) or a range-finder, either use is considered by NATO to be a hostile and escalatory act.

Beijing’s Silence

As of now, China has not commented on the incident. The Chinese Embassy in Berlin and the Foreign Ministry in Beijing did not respond to press inquiries. German officials have demanded a written response within days and have signaled they may escalate the matter to EU and NATO forums if necessary.

Background on Operation Aspides

Operation Aspides, launched in February 2024 and extended through 2026, aims to protect commercial shipping from Houthi rebel threats in the Red Sea. Germany is a key contributor, providing up to 700 personnel, the air-defense frigate Hessen, and a maritime patrol aircraft detachment.

Why Military Laser Use is Alarming

Experts emphasize that military-grade lasers pose serious risks: they can permanently injure pilots and disable sensitive equipment. Moreover, lasers are sometimes used to “paint” targets just before launching live weapons, meaning incidents like this can rapidly spiral into armed conflict.

A Pattern of PLA Navy Behavior

This isn’t an isolated case. The Chinese Navy has previously been accused of similar laser incidents involving Australian and Philippine forces in 2022 and 2023. These repeated actions raise questions about China’s rules of engagement and operational conduct far from its territorial waters.

Germany–China Defence Tensions Escalate

This laser encounter comes amid mounting strategic friction between Berlin and Beijing. Germany’s 2024 National Security Strategy officially labeled China a “partner, competitor, and systemic rival”. The government has since tightened export controls and expressed concern over PLA naval deployments in Djibouti—just kilometers from EU operational assets.

Next Steps and Response Plans

• Technical Review: German defense experts will review sensor logs from the aircraft to identify the laser type and assess potential damage.

• Operational Coordination: Germany has asked the Aspides mission commander to review laser-threat protocols at the next force protection briefing.

• Diplomatic Action: If China fails to provide a satisfactory explanation, Germany may push for a joint EU démarche or raise the matter at the NATO Summit in Washington from 9–11 July.

Germany’s Final Word

German officials have stated that this incident will not deter their contribution to Operation Aspides. However, they stressed the urgent need for clear military communication channels with China to prevent such dangerous encounters from sparking a larger crisis in one of the world’s busiest and most volatile maritime corridors.