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The UK's leading arms company has quietly terminated maintenance for a group of aircraft that were delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to among the world's most impoverished countries.

Humanitarian Emergency Deepens in Several African Nations

The decision diminishes the delivery of vital aid to countries experiencing severe humanitarian crises, such as Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The arms firm this year announced record earnings of over three billion pounds, supported by rising defense expenditure associated with global tensions.

Market analysts believe the decision to scrap maintenance for the humanitarian aircraft was taken to enable the company to focus on projects connected with increased military spending by global alliances.

Major Aid Contracts Terminated

Multiple important aid contracts have been cancelled following the decision, including one with the United Nations' World Food Programme to transport aid to 12 locations across East Africa where almost five million individuals face emergency situations of hunger.

The situation comes after the company's decision to willingly surrender the type certificate granted by the Britain's Civil Aviation Authority for its last commercial plane type.

The manufacturer informed EU aircraft authorities that these aircraft were not manufactured and that, to their knowledge, very few aircraft remained in service.

Impact on Humanitarian Operations

Although multiple countries still have the planes listed, the last known user was a Kenyan air-cargo operator that focused in delivering humanitarian aid across east Africa.

"Our assistance our planes delivered represented a lifeline to the people of South Sudan and the DRC during a period of great global instability," stated the operator's director.

"This sudden termination of support for all planes has grounded the planes and cut off vital supplies to those most in need. Now, the populations of east Africa face an increasingly dangerous situation while the manufacturer prioritizes their own profits."

Between March 2023 and last month, the aircraft transported 18,677 tons of supplies to South Sudan, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo and additional regional nations.

Food Security Estimates

Per humanitarian organizations, one tonne of food – typically containing grains, pulses and oil – can meet the everyday needs of about 1,660 individuals.

This specific aircraft type was considered perfect for humanitarian missions because it could operate on shorter airstrips that are common in remote locations. Each aircraft could transport a payload of over 8 tons.

Juridical Action Initiated

One legal document submitted by legal representatives acting for the operator to the manufacturer states that, since the announcement, its twelve humanitarian planes "are unable to be used" and are now "worthless for their intended purpose".

The correspondence references emails and meetings between the company's executives and the airline that the Nairobi-based company asserts show it was given the impression that continued support would be provided for a minimum of five years.

The correspondence adds that the action was taken "with no any discussion with or official notification to" the airline.

The representative for the arms manufacturer said: "The company do not provide statements on potential litigation."

Permanent Decision

At the same time, correspondence from the company indicate that its decision to revoke the safety approval for the aircraft is "permanent and unchangeable".

One letter from the arms company's director of commercial aircraft programs, dated spring 2025, stated the firm intended to notify the UK aviation regulator it wanted to "start the process to willingly surrender the aircraft type certificate."

Humanitarian Crisis Data

• In the region, 4.6 million people face crisis situations of hunger
• Approximately 1.8 million young children aged below five years are experiencing acute hunger
• In South Sudan, 7.7 million individuals face acute food insecurity – more than half the total population
• An unprecedented over 27 million people in the Congo are experiencing acute hunger

This situation is most severe in eastern provinces where communities have lost ability to their livelihoods after extended violence in the area.

Following the manufacturer's decision, the operator has closed operations in East Africa and is now claiming 187 million pounds in losses and compensation for what it describes "careless misrepresentation and misstatement" by the manufacturer.

Industry experts expect the defense manufacturer's profits to increase more this year as it profits from rising defense spending worldwide amid increasing global tensions.