The German government has sharply criticized China after a Chinese military laser targeted a German surveillance aircraft participating in an EU naval mission, escalating tensions between Berlin and Beijing. The aircraft was part of Operation ASPIDES, a European mission tasked with ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security in international waters, particularly in the Red Sea, Gulf, and Indian Ocean.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the incident, which it described as a deliberate act that endangered German personnel and disrupted the mission.

“Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable,” the ministry posted on social media platform X.

No injuries or damage were reported, but the incident has reinforced EU concerns over China’s growing assertiveness—especially in critical security operations. The European Commission and China’s Foreign Ministry had not yet issued responses at the time of reporting.

The laser incident is seen as part of a broader pattern of Chinese military behavior, including naval maneuvers, electronic interference, and confrontations with foreign aircraft and vessels in international airspace and waters.

EU officials have increasingly warned that Chinese influence over strategic infrastructure and technologies—from ports to satellites—is becoming a growing security liability. The targeting of an EU mission aircraft by a Chinese weapon marks a serious breach in international military protocol.