Berlin has summoned China’s ambassador after a Chinese frigate aimed a laser at a German multi-sensor surveillance plane assigned to the EU’s Aspides mission, calling the act “completely unacceptable.” 
The unarmed aircraft—nicknamed a “flying eye” for its broad maritime-watch capabilities—was conducting a routine patrol earlier this month when the frigate engaged it “without reason or prior contact,” the German Defence Ministry said. The crew aborted the mission and returned safely to base in Djibouti; flights have since resumed.
“The endangerment of German personnel and disruption of the operation are completely unacceptable,” the Foreign Office posted on X while announcing that Ambassador Deng Hongbo had been called in.
Der Spiegel’s account, echoed by officials, says the Chinese crew broke standard practice by failing to hail the aircraft on the distress frequency before firing the laser.
Operation Aspides, launched in February 2024, shields Red Sea shipping from Houthi missile and drone attacks. Berlin’s mandate allows up to 700 service members and the aircraft itself is contractor-flown with German soldiers on board.
China’s Djibouti base sits only kilometres from Western facilities. In 2018, the Pentagon lodged a similar protest after US C-130 pilots suffered eye injuries from suspected Chinese lasers near the same air corridor.
With Houthi strikes already choking a trade route that carries roughly 12% of global seaborne commerce, any additional military brinkmanship raises insurance costs and rerouting pressures.
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