Overview

• Germany’s Foreign Office summoned Chinese ambassador Deng Hongbo to protest a naval laser targeting of a German surveillance aircraft.
• The Chinese warship lasered the multi-sensor “flying eye” plane without warning during a routine Aspides patrol protecting vessels from Houthi attacks.
• German defence officials said the incident endangered personnel and forced an abort of the mission, with the aircraft making a precautionary landing in Djibouti.
• The reconnaissance plane, operated by a civilian contractor with German military personnel onboard, has since resumed flights under the Aspides operation.
• Operation Aspides has continued its maritime security mission despite the diplomatic rift and ongoing Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping.