Australia criticises China’s ‘unsafe and unprofessional’ helicopter manoeuvre next to ADF aircraft

Australia condemned an “unsafe and unprofessional” Chinese military interaction near an ADF aircraft in international waters between China and the Korean Peninsula.

The Defence Department has accused the People’s Liberation Army–Navy of forcing an Australian helicopter to perform “evasive action to maintain safe flight”.

The Seahawk helicopter had launched off HMAS Toowoomba while in the Yellow Sea during routine activities as part of Operation Argos on Wednesday when it was flanked by a Chinese helicopter.

“The PLA-N helicopter matched the ADF helicopter’s altitude before closing in to an unsafe distance,” the department said in a statement on Friday.

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

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

The department and Defence Minister Richard Marles insisted that the Australian frigate and helicopter were acting in accordance with international law “at all times”.

“The work our ADF personnel do in asserting the global rules‑based order is vitally important and Australia is committed to undertaking activities in our region, in accordance with international law,” Mr Marles said.

“Australia expects all interactions between defence forces to occur safely and professionally.

“Where that is not the case, we will express our concerns to the Chinese Government and we will call these actions out publicly.”

Shadow defence minister James Paterson strongly condemned the Chinese military action, labelling it “deeply concerning” and insisted ADF personnel “should not be subjected to intimidation” or put “at risk”.

“China must ensure its forces operate safely. Actions like this risk escalation and undermine stability in our region,” Senator Paterson said.

“This was yet again a deliberate, dangerous and reckless manoeuvre by China’s People’s Liberation Army.

“This is not an isolated incident. It is becoming a deeply concerning pattern of behaviour by the PLA.

“We expect the Albanese Government to publicly condemn this incident and make Australia’s views clear to their counterparts in the Chinese government.”

The department added ADF were in the area as part of “Australia’s contribution to the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea”.

“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,” it stated.

There was no damage caused to the MH-60R helicopter and no Australian personnel were injured in the incident, but the department said it expected China to “operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner”.

Mr Marles described the safety of ADF personnel as “always paramount” and commended them for their “quick response to what was an unsafe and unprofessional interaction”.

It comes after the Australian Government also expressed concerns in October after a Chinese fighter aircraft twice released flares “dangerously” close to a P-8 surveillance plane.

At the time, the department had labelled the tense encounter with a People’s Liberation Army Air Force Su-35 aircraft above the contested South China Sea as “an unsafe and unprofessional interaction”.

Mr Marles said he had raised the issue with the Chinese Embassy in Canberra and had also made “representations via our embassy in Beijing”.

In May 2024 a Chinese fighter jet also dropped flares dangerously close to an Australian helicopter operating on a United Nations mission in international waters in the Yellow Sea.

Two years ago, Australian Navy divers sustained minor injuries after being subjected to sonar pulses from a nearby Chinese warship while operating in the South China Sea to support a United Nations mission.