Australia says Chinese navy ship fired laser at military aircraft
- The defence department condemned the ‘unsafe conduct’ after the P-8A Poseidon plane detected a laser emanating from the Chinese vessel
- The incident happened when the aircraft was in flight over Australia’s northern approaches
A Chinese navy vessel directed a laser at an Australian aircraft in flight over the country’s northern approaches, illuminating the plane and potentially endangering lives, Canberra’s defence department said on Saturday.
A P-8A Poseidon – a maritime patrol aircraft – detected a laser emanating from a People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLA-N) vessel on Thursday, the Defence Department said in a statement.
“Illumination of the aircraft by the Chinese vessel is a serious safety incident,” the department said. “We strongly condemn unprofessional and unsafe conduct. These actions could have endangered the safety and lives of the ADF personnel.”
Such episodes are not uncommon as the United States and its allies accuse China of asserting its might, and have taken steps to challenge Beijing’s growing clout in the western Pacific and elsewhere.
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The defence department said that both ships have since transited through the Torres Strait and were in the Coral Sea.
Lasers present a serious problem because when aimed at aircraft they can injure pilots or temporarily blind them – which can present safety risks particularly as they are taking off and landing.
Two years ago, the US also accused the Chinese navy of firing a laser at one if its Poseidon planes over the Pacific. Beijing denied it, saying the aircraft had circled at low altitude over its warship despite repeated warnings.
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In 2018, the US issued a formal complaint to the Chinese government over the use of high-grade lasers near the base in Djibouti that were directed at aircraft and resulted in minor injuries to two American pilots.
Tensions have ratcheted up particularly in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety, while Washington and its allies insist on freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
