Chinese Navy Warship Fired Laser At U.S. P-8A Poseidon Surveillance Aircraft: Report

Chinese Navy Warship Fired Laser At U.S. P-8A Poseidon Surveillance Aircrft: Report
RAAF P-8A Poseidon (Photo: CPL Craig Barrett/Department of Defence)

According to U.S. Navy a Chinese Navy warship fired a military-grade laser at US Navy P-8 surveillance aircraft while it was flying over the Pacific Ocean, an action that the US Navy called “unsafe and unprofessional.”

The People’s Republic of China “navy destroyer’s actions were unsafe and unprofessional,” US Pacific Fleet said in a statement Thursday.

“Weapons-grade lasers could potentially cause serious harm to aircrew and mariners, as well as ship and aircraft systems,” the statement added.

According to U.S. Defense officials formal diplomatic protests known as a démarche are expected to be issued.

Military-grade laser beams, occasionally known as “dazzlers,” omit a powerful beam of light that can travel great distances and be used to illuminate aircraft cockpits, temporarily blinding pilots.

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Chinese militaries.
The Pentagon has repeatedly said that China represents an increasingly serious threat to regional security, saying that major Chinese investments in its military are aimed at achieving regional dominance.

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Chinese militaries.
The Pentagon has repeatedly said that China represents an increasingly serious threat to regional security, saying that major Chinese investments in its military are aimed at achieving regional dominance.

 

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