Australia has formally raised concerns with China following a tense aerial encounter in which a Chinese naval helicopter approached an Australian Defence Force aircraft at close range, forcing the Australian crew to take evasive action.

The incident occurred on March four when an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter launched from the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Toowoomba was operating over international waters in the Yellow Sea.

The ship was participating in Operation Argos, a multinational effort that monitors and enforces United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea.

According to Australian defence officials, the helicopter was conducting routine operations when it was intercepted by a helicopter from the People’s Liberation Army Navy.

The Chinese aircraft reportedly matched the altitude of the Australian helicopter before closing in to what officials described as an unsafe distance.

Authorities said the Chinese helicopter then moved slightly ahead of the Australian aircraft, increased speed and rolled toward it in a manoeuvre that required the Australian crew to take evasive action to maintain safe flight.

Australia’s defence department characterised the move as unsafe and unprofessional, saying it posed a risk to both the aircraft and its personnel.

Despite the close encounter, there were no injuries to Australian personnel and the helicopter was not damaged.

The Australian government confirmed it had lodged a formal complaint with Chinese authorities following the incident.

Officials emphasised that the frigate and its helicopter had been operating in accordance with international law and exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters.

China responded by rejecting the Australian account and accusing Canberra of misrepresenting the circumstances of the encounter.

Chinese officials stated that their military actions were legitimate and conducted in a professional manner.

The event adds to a series of recent confrontations between Chinese and Australian forces in regional airspace and waters.

In previous years, Australian officials have raised concerns about similar close encounters, including incidents involving flares deployed near surveillance aircraft and the use of sonar that injured Australian navy divers during operations in the region.

Australia continues to participate in international maritime monitoring missions around the Korean Peninsula, which are designed to detect and deter attempts to evade sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

Defence authorities said such operations are conducted routinely and remain an important part of global efforts to uphold international security measures.