Australia protests ‘unsafe’ encounter with Chinese helicopter : written by Robert Dougherty DEFENCE CONNECT | March 9, 2026

An MH-60R Seahawk takes off from HMAS Toowoomba during a maritime cooperative
activity off the coast of Luzon. (Image: LSIS Zac Dingle)

The Australian government has protested an “unsafe and unprofessional interaction” involving a Chinese military helicopter and Australian Defence Force helicopter in the international waters of the Yellow Sea. It has expressed its concerns to the Chinese government after the altercation involving an MH-60R helicopter from Anzac Class frigate HMAS Toowoomba and a People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) helicopter.

“The PLAN helicopter matched the ADF helicopter’s altitude before closing in to an unsafe distance. The PLAN helicopter moved slightly ahead, increased speed and then rolled towards the ADF helicopter, which required evasive action to maintain safe flight.” There were no injuries to ADF personnel or damage to the MH-60R helicopter.

The incident occurred on 4 March this year, as HMAS Toowoomba was 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.