Australian Helicopter Forced Into Evasive Action After ‘Unsafe’ Chinese Aircraft Manoeuvre
Udumbara
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The Australian government has made another formal complaint to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) after “an unsafe and unprofessional interaction” with a People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) helicopter.
In a statement, the Australian Department of Defence said the interaction took place on March 4 when HMAS Toowoomba was in international waters in the Yellow Sea undertaking routine activities as part of Operation Argos—Australia’s contribution to U.N. Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
The department says an Australian Defence Force (ADF) MH-60R helicopter was launched off the HMAS Toowoomba vessel only to be intercepted by the CCP PLA-N helicopter.
The PLA-N helicopter matched altitude with the Australian aircraft before closing in at an unsafe distance.
The CCP aircraft moved slightly ahead, increasing speed and rolled towards the ADF aircraft, requiring the Australian pilot to take evasive action for their own safety.
“HMAS Toowoomba and its embarked helicopter acted in accordance with international law at all times.
“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 ADF said all nations, including China, were expected to operate their militaries in a safe and professional way.
“For decades, the ADF has 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,” the Defence Department said.
In response, CCP spokesman Jiang Bin claimed Australia was “endangering” China’s national security with its presence in the Yellow Sea, according to a statement published in the state-owned Global Times outlet.
Bin claimed the PLA-N was responding to Australia’s “harassing actions” and that it took measures to deliver a “resolute and forceful response.”
Australia is one of several nations that have experienced harassment from Beijing’s PLA-N while carrying out routine movements through the South China Sea.
