Written questions

Helicopters

Commons · Question 24544 · Tabled 28 Aug 2026 · Ministry of Defence · Official record

Answered 8 Sep 2026

Question

Asked by Scott Arthur

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of maintaining helicopters with wildfire suppression capabilities at readiness for deployment in support of domestic wildfire incidents; and if he will consider

Answer

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones, 8 Sep 2026

Responsibility for responding to wildfires in the UK rests with the relevant civil authorities and emergency services, with military support potentially available where requested through established Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) arrangement...