Australian helicopter forced to take evasive action after Chinese fighter detonates flares
A Chinese military jet has detonated flares near an Australian Navy helicopter which was operating in international waters, forcing the pilot to take evasive action to avoid an accident.
Defence Minister Richard Marles has condemned the incident that occurred as HMAS Hobart was taking part in a UN mission on Saturday in the Yellow Sea off South Korea.
“The PLA Air Force plane dropped flares about 300 metres in front of the Seahawk helicopter and about 60 metres above it, requiring the helicopter to take evasive action in order to not be hit by those flares,” Mr Marles said in a statement.
“The consequence of being hit by the flares would have been significant.”
“Importantly, the helicopter was unaffected and all the crew are safe.
“This is a very serious incident. It was unsafe and it is completely unacceptable.”