A Chinese navy ship has used a laser on an Australian defence aircraft in flight, in what defence officials have called a “serious safety incident”.
The Australian Defence Force said the Australian aircraft detected the laser coming from a Chinese vessel on Thursday, as it flew north over Australia.
“Acts like this have the potential to endanger lives,” the ADF said in a statement on Saturday night.
The vessel, in company with another PLA-N ship, was sailing east through the Arafura Sea at the time of the incident.
“Defence can confirm that on 17 February 2022, a P-8A Poseidon detected a laser illuminating the aircraft while in flight over Australia’s northern approaches,” the ADF said.
“The laser was detected as emanating from a People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLA-N) vessel.
“Illumination of the aircraft by the Chinese vessel is a serious safety incident.”
The ADF condemned the actions as “unprofessional and unsafe” military conduct.
“These actions could have endangered the safety and lives of the ADF personnel,” it said.
“Such actions are not in keeping with the standards we expect of professional militaries.
“We strongly condemn unprofessional and unsafe military conduct.”
The vessel and the other PLA-N ship it was travelling in company with have since transited through the Torres Strait and are in the Coral Sea, the ADF said.
