Australia lodges diplomatic protest to Chinese Government over unsafe helicopter interaction over Yellow Sea

HMAS Toowoomba was performing routine activities in international waters when a MH-60R helicopter was launched, then intercepted by a People’s Liberation Army – Navy (PLA-N) helicopter on Wednesday.

A government spokesman said the PLA-N helicopter matched the Australian Defence Force helicopter’s height before it closed in at an unsafe distance.

“The PLA-N helicopter moved slightly ahead, increased speed and then rolled towards the ADF helicopter, which required evasive action to maintain safe flight,” a spokesman said.

“This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel.”

HMAS Toowoomba was in the region as part of Operation Argos to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea when the incident occurred.

A spokesman said the navy vessel and helicopter acted in accordance with international law at all times.

“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,” a spokesman said.

“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,” a spokesman said.

“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner.”

It follows another incident last year when a Chinese fighter jet fired flares within 30m of a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance plane over the South China Sea.

In 2023, Australian navy divers were injured when a Chinese warship activated sonar at close range in international waters near Japan.