In a statement posted on social media platform X, the German Foreign Office said: “The Chinese military employed a laser targeting a German aircraft in the E.U. operation ASPIDES. Endangering German personnel & disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable. The Chinese ambassador was summoned to the Federal Foreign Office today.”
The Chinese military employed a laser targeting a German aircraft in the EU operation #ASPIDES. Endangering German personnel & disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable. The Chinese ambassador was summoned to the Federal Foreign Office today.
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) July 8, 2025
Although neither the German Foreign Office nor the Defence Ministry have provided additional official details, Reuters reported the incident occurred in early July. The aircraft involved is a multi-sensor plane operated by a civilian company, though German military personnel were also aboard.
The aircraft has been operating under Operation Aspides since October 2023, providing gathered data to participating EU member states. According to Reuters, the aircraft landed safely in Djibouti and has since resumed its mission.
The German Navy currently operates only two P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft as it transitions to the P-8A Poseidon, with the first delivery expected in August. The aircraft involved in the laser incident is not believed to be a military P-3C Orion.
The Chinese vessel responsible is suspected to be part of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) 47th Naval Escort Taskforce, which includes destroyer CNS Baotou (133), frigate CNS Honghe (523), and fleet oiler CNS Gaoyouhu (904). This taskforce deployed from China on 15 December and forms part of China’s long-standing anti-piracy presence in the region, active since 2008.
Chinese defence and foreign ministries have not issued any statements regarding the accusation. The German summons of the Chinese ambassador marks a formal diplomatic protest over the incident.
Past incidents have seen similar accusations against China, including in February 2020 when the U.S. claimed a PLAN destroyer lased a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon near Guam. In February 2022, Australia reported a PLAN ship had targeted a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon with a laser while in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Japan and South Korea also maintain anti-piracy forces in the region, with Japan deploying destroyer JS Asahi (DD-119) and a P-3C aircraft, and South Korea operating destroyer ROKS Munmu the Great (DDG-976) with naval special forces. These deployments reflect a continued Northeast Asian naval presence in the area alongside Chinese operations.
Operation Aspides operates alongside EUNAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta, which focuses on counter-piracy and securing World Food Programme shipments to Somalia. Atalanta recently coordinated the rescue of MV Magic Sea’s crew, who had abandoned ship following Houthi attacks.
The current Aspides task force includes Italian Navy destroyer ITS Andrea Doria (D553) and Hellenic Navy frigate HS Psara (F-454). Meanwhile, Operation Atalanta is being conducted by Spanish Navy frigate ESPS Navarra (F85) and Italian Navy frigate ITS Antonio Marceglia (F597).
