Military aircraft prepared to fight wildfires
The RAF will equip Chinooks and A400Ms for emergency firefighting support across the UK.
Update
The government said RAF Chinook helicopters and A400M aircraft would be equipped to fight wildfires from the air and deployed when requested. The package also included up to £45 million for specialist equipment and wildfire teams. (GOV.UK)
Military aircraft are to be adapted to help tackle wildfires in the UK under a new government preparedness package. Ministers say the measures respond to an increasingly serious risk from extreme heat and dry landscapes.
The RAF’s Chinook helicopters and A400M transport aircraft will be fitted with specialist equipment so they can support firefighting operations when requested. The government said the aircraft would be particularly useful in remote moorland, steep hillsides and other areas that are difficult for ground crews to reach.
The government’s announcement on 22 October said a wildfire summit would bring together ministers, fire chiefs, local leaders and technical experts. The package includes up to £45m for specialist wildfire teams and lighter protective equipment for firefighters in England.
A further £25m will be used to restore peatlands in England. Ministers say wetter peat can help slow the spread of fire and act as a natural firebreak. The government also plans to support farmers with measures including ponds and the removal of combustible material from high-risk areas.
The government said it would consider stronger local restrictions or product bans when wildfire danger is high. It also announced a Wildfires AI Unit within the Cabinet Office’s National Situation Centre, intended to combine forecasting, satellite monitoring and other data to improve early warning and response.
The government said the measures apply primarily to England and that ministers would work with the devolved governments. The government described the summer of 2026 as the UK’s hottest on record and said the Met Office had found climate change made the extreme heat around 130 times more likely. The government described the new aircraft capability as emergency support, rather than a replacement for local fire services or landscape management.
Also show where in Europe and in the world
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The government announced military aircraft, funding and an AI unit for wildfire preparedness.
- The measures include peatland restoration and possible local restrictions during periods of high fire risk.
- The UK Government says climate change made the summer heat more likely.
Left
Arguments The priority should be cutting emissions and funding public fire services, rather than relying on military assets after climate risks have intensified.
Values Public provision, prevention and climate responsibility.
Consequences Underfunding prevention could leave communities exposed and make emergency responses more expensive.
Centre
Arguments A stronger national response is justified, but it should be coordinated with devolved governments and evaluated against clear operational standards.
Values Evidence, resilience and accountable public spending.
Consequences The approach could improve response times if the equipment is available without weakening local services.
Right
Arguments The immediate duty is to protect people, homes and strategic sites, while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on landowners and the public.
Values Public safety, national preparedness and personal responsibility.
Consequences A practical emergency capability may reduce damage, but excessive regulation could burden rural communities.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Priya Shah — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article is based on the government’s announcement published on 22 October 2026. Claims about future effectiveness are clearly presented as plans rather than established outcomes.
- confirmed RAF Chinook helicopters and A400M aircraft will be equipped to support wildfire operations. — Confirmed by the UK Government announcement. source
- confirmed The package includes up to £45m for wildfire teams and protective equipment. — Stated in the government announcement. source
- confirmed The government will spend £25m on peatland restoration in England. — Stated in the government announcement. source
Editor's note
The aircraft, funding and summit were confirmed in a government announcement. The effectiveness and operational timetable of the new capability remain untested.Sources
- Military planes and helicopters to fight wildfires from the sky — UK Government
More on this in other media
- The Guardian — „wildfires raf”
- BBC News — „wildfires raf”
- Sky News — „wildfires raf”