Australia voices concern over ‘unsafe interaction’ with Chinese chopper

ISTANBUL

Canberra on Friday expressed its “concerns” to Beijing over what it called “unsafe and unprofessional interaction” between Australian and Chinese military helicopters.

In a statement, the Australian Defense Ministry said that the incident occurred on Wednesday when Australia’s HMAS Toowoomba frigate was “in international waters in the Yellow Sea undertaking routine activities as part of Operation Argos, Australia’s contribution to the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.”

It said: “An Australian Defence Force (ADF) MH-60R helicopter launched from HMAS Toowoomba was intercepted by a PLA-N (People’s Liberation Army – Navy) helicopter.”

“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,” the statement added.

“This was an unsafe and unprofessional maneuver that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel,” according to the ministry.

It added that there were no injuries sustained by ADF personnel or damage caused to the MH-60R helicopter.