Tensions between China and Germany have intensified following a serious allegation by the German government accusing China of targeting one of its reconnaissance aircraft with a laser weapon. The incident reportedly took place earlier in July 2025 over the Red Sea, near the coast of Yemen, during a European Union-led security mission. Germany’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Chinese ambassador and condemned the act, calling it completely unacceptable and provocative.
According to reports by German newspaper Der Spiegel, the aircraft in question was a multi-sensor platform (MSP) used for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes. This aircraft was participating in the European Union’s ASPIDES mission, aimed at protecting international maritime routes in the southern Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The laser was allegedly emitted from an active Chinese warship operating in the same region.
The German Defense Ministry has officially confirmed the incident. It stated that the aircraft was on a routine mission at the time of the laser attack. No prior warning or communication was issued by the Chinese vessel, prompting German forces to abort the mission and safely land the aircraft at a base in Djibouti. The MSP, often referred to as a "flying eye," is a civilian commercial surveillance platform operated in partnership with the German armed forces. Since its deployment in October, the platform has provided critical intelligence data for the ASPIDES mission.
Despite the incident, Germany has resumed MSP operations in the region. The ASPIDES mission, launched in February 2024, involves multiple EU countries including Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Its objective is to ensure maritime security and uphold freedom of navigation in waters threatened by regional hostilities, particularly from the Houthis.
China has responded by denying the allegations. Its Foreign Ministry claims that the Chinese Navy was conducting legitimate escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters under international maritime security frameworks. Beijing emphasized the need for fact-based dialogue and cautioned against any provocative assumptions, urging both parties to avoid miscommunication and maintain open communication.
This is not the first time such an allegation has been made against China. In 2020, the United States had similarly accused a Chinese warship of targeting a US naval aircraft with a laser near Guam, an incident that China also denied. However, incidents involving NATO-aligned European countries are extremely rare, making this episode particularly concerning.
Laser weapons like the ones allegedly used in this incident are generally low-powered and are primarily designed to disable sensors or blind surveillance equipment on enemy drones, ships, or aircraft. It is suspected that in this case, the Chinese laser targeted the German aircraft’s sensors, forcing an emergency landing.
China has been aggressively developing its laser weapon capabilities in recent years. In 2024, it released footage showcasing high-energy laser drones capable of melting weapons and blinding enemy soldiers. The country is also reportedly working to equip its sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, the J-36, with advanced laser systems that could neutralize aerial threats, including incoming missiles.
These directed-energy weapons operate by focusing high-energy laser beams that travel at the speed of light to disable or destroy enemy equipment. As development continues, such weapons are expected to play a major role in future aerial and maritime warfare.
While nations like the US, Russia, and India are also developing similar technologies, China’s live use of such systems in contested or international areas signals a potential shift in its military posture. These actions, whether deliberate or experimental, are raising significant concerns among global powers.
For now, Germany remains firm in its condemnation, while China denies wrongdoing. It remains to be seen what diplomatic or strategic consequences this incident may trigger in the near future. The situation underscores the rising risks of advanced military technologies being deployed in active zones, increasing the chances of international confrontations.
Disclaimer: This article is based on currently available public information and official statements. The situation may evolve as further details emerge. The content aims to summarize the reported developments without asserting responsibility or intent of the involved parties.
