The EU launched Operation Aspides early last year to provide a naval presence in the Red Sea and Gulf amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on international commercial vessels.
The incident saw a Chinese military vessel target the aircraft with no reason or prior communication during a routine mission flight, a ministry spokesperson said.
It occurred at the beginning of this month and the ship had been encountered several times in the area before, they added.
Germany’s defence ministry said the aircraft, taking part in the EU’s ASPIDES mission which protects international sea routes in the Red Sea, had been contributing a Multi-Sensor Platform, or “flying eye” for reconnaissance of the area since October.
‘By using the laser, the warship put at risk the safety of personnel and material,’ said the spokesperson, adding the mission flight was aborted as a precaution and the aircraft landed safely at a base in Djibouti.
The deployment of the MSP in ASPIDES has since been resumed, he said.