Germany summoned China’s ambassador, Deng Hongbo, on 8 July after Berlin said a Chinese warship directed a military-grade laser at a German reconnaissance aircraft taking part in the European Union’s Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea. The Foreign Ministry called the action “completely unacceptable,” saying it endangered personnel and disrupted the mission. According to the Defence Ministry, the Multi-Sensor Platform aircraft—deployed since October to provide wide-area surveillance—was illuminated without warning during a routine flight in early July. The crew aborted the mission and landed safely at the German base in Djibouti; flights have since resumed. No injuries or damage were reported. Operation ASPIDES, launched in February 2024, safeguards commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden against Houthi attacks. The incident comes amid wider European scrutiny of China’s growing military footprint and follows earlier U.S. complaints about similar laser encounters. Beijing has not yet commented on Berlin’s protest.