Germany deploys military aircraft to support French wildfire response

Germany has deployed military aircraft to assist France in battling massive wildfires along the country's Atlantic coast, responding to a request from French authorities.

The German Armed Forces dispatched two transport helicopters and an A400M military transport aircraft carrying firefighting equipment to support operations in the Bordeaux region, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

According to Germany's Defence Ministry, the mission is initially expected to last five days.

"The devastating wildfires in France and Spain have deeply saddened the federal government," government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said in Berlin.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also in contact with French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez regarding the ongoing wildfire situation.

French fire authorities are preparing for what could become a prolonged operation, with firefighting efforts in the affected areas expected to continue for weeks or even months.

The European Union is coordinating additional support by deploying firefighting aircraft from several member states to assist both France and Spain.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov