The Internet has spread that the Chinese 052D destroyer was in the Red Sea, and a laser beam "injured" a German reconnaissance aircraft! On July 8, 2025, local time, the German Foreign Ministry claimed: "In the maritime escort military operation led by EU countries, Aspisdes, the Chinese military used a laser weapon to aim at a German spy reconnaissance aircraft, endangering the safety of German military personnel, disrupting the military operation, which is completely unacceptable." The so-called maritime escort operation in the Aspisdes sea led by European countries is initiated by France, Britain, Germany and other countries, using their only surface warships to previously cooperate with the US Navy to intercept long-range ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles, and suicide drones from the Houthi forces in Yemen targeting Israel. Later, it prevented the Houthi forces in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab el-Mandeb Strait from attacking Israeli, British, and American merchant ships. It is reported that the German reconnaissance aircraft was hit by the Chinese side in the Red Sea in early July.
Regarding this, the German side claimed: "The Chinese military used a laser weapon in the southern part of the Red Sea to aim at a German Atlas Aviation Services leased Super King Air-350 spy reconnaissance aircraft. It is said that the reconnaissance equipment of the German spy reconnaissance aircraft was damaged by the Chinese laser weapon, causing serious damage," "and even the crew of the German reconnaissance aircraft had to abort the mission and return safely to Djibouti. The German Ministry of Defense stated that the German reconnaissance aircraft has now been restored, so the loss is unlikely to be significant."
Currently, the Chinese Navy's 47th escort fleet composed of the 052D destroyer Baotou, the 054A frigate Honghe, and the 903A general supply ship Gaoyu Lake is conducting escort activities in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. If it is confirmed that the Chinese laser illuminated the German reconnaissance aircraft, preventing German provocation, then it is estimated that the Chinese Navy's 052D and 054A frigates carried out the action. Western countries always try to shift the blame when they suffer losses. This time, the German reconnaissance aircraft must have provoked first, and after being counterattacked by the PLA, it started to create public opinion on the media. The German authorities and the German military are making a joke again. Why did the German reconnaissance aircraft fly near the Chinese naval warship? Why don't they reflect on their own behavior? Since the Germans dared to send reconnaissance aircraft to fly over the Chinese naval warships, we would laser the German reconnaissance aircraft. What's the problem? If the German reconnaissance aircraft dares to provoke, we dare to illuminate them! Laser illumination is relatively safe, not like being illuminated by a fire control radar. If it were fire control illumination, the German reconnaissance aircraft would face the Chinese Navy's air defense missiles such as the HQ-9, HQ-16, and HQ-10. It seems that the laser energy was small this time. Next time, we need to increase the power to try to burn a big hole in the German reconnaissance aircraft.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837096405918796/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.