UK Deploys Military Helicopters and Aircraft to Fight Record Wildfires

The British government announced on Thursday that it will deploy military helicopters and transport aircraft to combat massive wildfires for the first time. The decision follows the hottest summer ever recorded in the United Kingdom, as part of a government effort to counter growing threats fueled by climate change.

Under the new plan, the Royal Air Force (RAF) will equip Chinook helicopters and A400M transport planes with specialized aerial firefighting systems. These aircraft will remain on high alert to assist civil rescue forces dealing with blazes in remote and hard-to-reach areas. London explained that the move is necessary to address a drastic increase in fire frequency.

Beyond unprecedented aerial support, the government announced it will allocate up to 45 million pounds for specialized response teams and advanced equipment. Additionally, a new artificial intelligence unit will be established to predict fire spread paths in real time, alongside 25 million pounds dedicated to peatland restoration and supporting farmers.