China “Attacked” German Military Aircraft With Laser

China fired a laser at a German aircraft, endangering its crew during an operation in the Middle East.

The German Foreign Ministry issued a statement reporting this.

The Chinese military used a laser to target a German aircraft flying in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea in support of the European maritime security operation ASPIDES.

Details of the incident have not been disclosed. The aircraft in question was likely a German P-3 Orion, which was patrolling the area, warning of Houthi activity at sea and cruise missile launches from Yemen.

The Chinese military personnel who were involved were also reported.

The source of the radiation could have been a ground-based installation at a Chinese logistics base in Djibouti, where there have already been incidents involving American pilots being injured by lasers.

In May 2018, two American pilots of a C-130 military transport aircraft suffered “minor” eye injuries as a result of exposure to a “military-grade” laser in Djibouti. At the time, the Pentagon concluded that China had deployed them.

The Chinese military has also repeatedly practiced laser “attacks” from ships of the PLA Navy. In 2023, the Chinese coast guard took action against Philippine ships in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

This year, China transferred the Silent Hunter air defense laser system to the Russian military for intercepting drones.

A video of the laser system in use was published by Russian “military correspondents.” They said that the laser is used by a mobile air defense group.