A Royal Australian Navy helicopter encountered a rather unprofessional conduct by a PLA-AF aircraft while under taking routine operations in the Yellow Sea area on 4 May, 2024. HMAS Hobart was in international waters in the Yellow Sea 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, the Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopter was launched from HMAS Hobart.
The Australian Government has expressed its concerns to the Chinese Government following the unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a People’s Liberation Army – Air Force (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.
There were no injuries sustained by ADF personnel or damage caused to the MH-60R helicopter. The Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said, “The consequence of being hit by the flares would have been significant.”
Australian Defence Forces have undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region for decades in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.
(With inputs from Australian Government Press release of 6 May, 2024)
Team Bharatshakti
