🗞️Australian Defence Minister Condemns Chinese Military's Behavior
🗞️Australian Defence Minister Condemns Chinese Military's Behavior
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During a United Nations mission in international waters, the Australian government claims that a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares close to an Australian helicopter.
The Australian Government has expressed its concerns to the Chinese Government following an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a People’s Liberation Army – Air Force (PLA-AF) fighter aircraft.
The event was deemed "unacceptable" by Defence Minister Richard Marles.
On 4 May 2024, HMAS Hobart was in international waters in the Yellow Sea undertaking routine activities as part of Operation Argos, Australia’s contribution to the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
During these activities, a Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopter launched from HMAS Hobart was intercepted by a PLA-AF fighter aircraft.
“ The PLA-AF aircraft released flares across the flight path of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopter. This was an unsafe manoeuvre which posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel,” the Defence Department said in a statement on Monday night
.
“While there were no injuries sustained by ADF personnel or damage caused to the MH-60R helicopter, the safety and wellbeing of our ADF personnel continues to be our utmost priority,” The Statement added.
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The Defence departmnt said Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a professional and safe manner.
“Defence has, for decades, undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace,” Statement ended.
According to Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, the Chinese government has been notified of Australia's concerns in the wake of the risky interception.
"The PLA Air Force plane dropped flares about 300 metres in front of the Seahawk helicopter and about 60 metres above it, requiring the helicopter to take evasive action in order to not be hit by those flares," Mr Marles said in a statement.
The incident happened on Saturday at around 7.30 p.m., as Nine News first reported on Monday night. There were no reported injuries. The Albanese government denounced the event using the same strong language it had used to denounce a Chinese navy ship for allegedly using sonar pulses to target Australian divers in the latter part of last year.
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