Following a summer marked by "unrelenting" blazes during hot and dry weather , the Government has announced that military aircraft and helicopters are to be equipped to combat wildfires .

A package of measures aimed at helping "hero" emergency personnel and protecting landscapes against ignition has been unveiled prior to England’s inaugural wildfire resilience summit on Friday, hosted by Andy Burnham .

Under the new plans, RAF A400M planes and Chinook helicopters will be outfitted for fire suppression to assist crews in difficult terrain such as steep slopes and isolated moorland, creating the UK's first permanent military aerial firefighting capability.

Up to £45 million in funding will provide frontline firefighters with specialised lightweight gear that is more breathable than standard structural equipment, allowing it to be worn for extended periods during outdoor operations.

Preventative initiatives include £25 million to restore dried-out English peatlands into natural water-retaining firebreaks,…