Berlin Accuses China of Laser Targeting German Recon Aircraft Over Red Sea

Germany has accused the Chinese military of dangerously targeting one of its reconnaissance aircraft with a laser over the Red Sea, a provocative act that Berlin has described as "entirely unacceptable." The incident, which occurred on July 2 near the Yemeni coast, has heightened tensions in a region already fraught with conflict due to ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial shipping.

The German aircraft involved was a sophisticated "multi-sensor platform," serving as a high-tech reconnaissance plane or "flying eye" as part of the European Union’s Aspides mission. This operation involves several European nations working together to protect international maritime traffic in the Red Sea from increasing threats, particularly from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

According to a German defense ministry spokesperson, the Chinese laser was directed at the aircraft "without reason or prior contact" during a routine surveillance operation. The laser reportedly posed a direct risk to both crew safety and sensitive onboard equipment, forcing the mission to be aborted. The aircraft returned to its base in Djibouti, where German forces are stationed as part of the broader EU and NATO regional presence.

What exactly the laser was—whether a blinding laser weapon (dazzler) or part of a targeting/guidance system—has not been confirmed publicly. However, such lasers are known to cause temporary or even permanent eye damage to pilots and can interfere with sensitive sensors and optics on aircraft. Some military-grade laser systems are designed to disrupt or disable visual and infrared targeting systems, which makes them especially dangerous during aerial surveillance.

In response to the incident, Germany’s Foreign Ministry summoned China’s ambassador to Berlin, demanding an explanation. The ministry issued a strong statement on social media, declaring, “Endangering German personnel and disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable.”

While China has yet to officially respond, the event adds strain to already sensitive ties between Europe and Beijing, particularly amid broader geopolitical competition and China’s increasing naval presence in international waters.

At present, Germany contributes up to 700 personnel to the EU Aspides mission, which has become vital in protecting key maritime routes from drone and missile attacks by the Houthis. These attacks surged after the Gaza conflict escalated in late 2023, with Houthi forces targeting commercial ships and claiming solidarity with Palestinians. Although there was a brief ceasefire earlier in 2024, Houthi strikes resumed, with one recent attack on a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged vessel confirming that the threat remains.

The presence of Chinese naval vessels in the Red Sea is not new. China maintains a logistics support base in Djibouti, just like several other countries, and regularly deploys naval ships to protect its own commercial interests under the guise of anti-piracy or escort missions. However, incidents like this—especially involving laser use—raise concerns about the growing assertiveness of the Chinese military and the risks of unintended escalation between foreign forces operating in proximity.

This confrontation underscores the volatility of the Red Sea region, where multiple powers—European navies, the U.S., regional states, China, and armed non-state groups like the Houthis—all operate within a highly compressed and dangerous space. With commercial shipping, military patrols, and now potentially hostile interactions between major world powers, the Red Sea remains one of the world’s most strategically tense maritime corridors.