An Australian naval helicopter was forced to take evasive action after a close encounter with a Chinese military aircraft over the Yellow Sea, prompting the federal government to raise concerns with Beijing over what it described as a dangerous midair manoeuvre.
The incident occurred on March 4 as the guided-missile frigate HMAS Toowoomba was operating in international waters as part of Operation Argos, a multinational effort to enforce sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council on North Korea.
Bordered by China and South Korea, the Yellow Sea sits near the Korean Peninsula and is a heavily trafficked military corridor where regional and allied forces regularly patrol to monitor sanctions enforcement. The encounter is the latest in a string of tense interactions between Australian and Chinese forces operating in international airspace and waters.
In a statement, the Department of Defence said the government had expressed its concerns to the Chinese government following an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction” with a People’s Liberation Army–Navy (PLA-N) helicopter.
“During these activities, an Australian Defence Force MH-60R helicopter launched from HMAS Toowoomba was intercepted by a PLA-N helicopter,” it said,
“The PLA-N helicopter matched the ADF helicopter’s altitude before closing in to 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.”
Defence said the Australian ship and the Seahawk had been operating lawfully throughout the mission.
“This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel,” it said.
“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 well-being of our ADF personnel continues to be our utmost priority.”
In October last year, Defence Minister Richard Marles condemned the “unsafe and unprofessional” behaviour of the Chinese military after a fighter jet released flares close to an Australian surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea. Beijing accused Australia of seriously violating China’s sovereignty.
Marles said the government had raised concerns with the Chinese embassy in Canberra and authorities in Beijing about the incident, saying it posed a risk to Royal Australian Air Force personnel and their aircraft. No injuries or damage were reported.
It is at least the fourth such incident in the past two years. Similar contested encounters occurred in February and in May 2024.
Defence reiterated that Australian forces would continue to operate in the region in accordance with international law.
“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner,” it said.
“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 Chinese embassy in Canberra was approached for comment.
Rob Harris is the national correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age based in Canberra. He is a former Europe correspondent.Connect via email.