Australia accuses Chinese helicopter of unsafe flying near Seahawk

A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk (N48-024) flies near HMAS Toowoomba on 16 February 2026 during the vessel's second South China Sea transit as part of Australia's Regional Presence Deployment 2026-2. (Commonwealth of Australia/LSIS Zac Dingle)

The crew of a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk has reported an unsafe and unprofessional interaction with a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) helicopter while operating over the Yellow Sea (West Sea), according to the Australian Department of Defence (DoD).

The helicopter, deployed on Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba , was operating over international waters in the Yellow Sea (West Sea) on 4 March 2026 when it was intercepted by a PLAN helicopter, the Australian DoD said on 6 March.

The 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”, the DoD added.

According to the DoD, the “PLAN helicopter matched the ADF [Australian Defence Force] helicopter's altitude before closing in to an unsafe distance”.

The Chinese “helicopter moved slightly ahead, increased speed and then rolled towards the ADF helicopter, which required evasive action to maintain safe flight”, the DoD added. “This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to our aircraft and its personnel.”

The DoD continued that 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,” the DoD said.

HMAS Toowoomba