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The UK's primary arms company has discreetly ended support for a fleet of aircraft that were delivering life-saving emergency assistance to some of the world's most impoverished countries.

Aid Emergency Deepens in Several African Nations

The move further reduces the distribution of crucial aid to countries facing severe humanitarian crises, such as South Sudan and the DRC.

This arms corporation this year announced historic profits of over £3bn, supported by increased military expenditure associated with global tensions.

Industry observers believe the action to withdraw maintenance for the aid aircraft was made to allow the company to pursue projects related to increased military spending by international organizations.

Significant Aid Agreements Terminated

Multiple important aid contracts have been terminated since the announcement, among them one with the UN's World Food Programme to transport supplies to 12 destinations across Somalia where almost 5 million people face emergency situations of hunger.

This situation follows the company's decision to voluntarily relinquish the type certificate granted by the Britain's Civil Aviation Authority for its last commercial aircraft model.

This manufacturer notified European aviation authorities that these models were not produced and that, as far as they knew, only few planes remained in service.

Consequences on Humanitarian Operations

Though several nations still have the planes listed, the final user was a East African cargo company that specialized in delivering emergency supplies across east Africa.

"The assistance our aircraft delivered offered a lifeline to the populations of South Sudan and the Congo during a period of great worldwide instability," commented the company's director.

"The sudden termination of maintenance for all planes has grounded the planes and halted essential supplies to those most in need. Currently, the populations of the region face an increasingly dangerous crisis while the company prioritizes their commercial interests."

From spring 2023 and recently, the fleet transported 18,677 tonnes of aid to Somalia, Chad, Central African Republic and other regional nations.

Food Needs Estimates

Per aid organizations, one ton of food – usually containing cereals, legumes and cooking oil – can meet the everyday requirements of about over 1,600 individuals.

The specific aircraft type was regarded perfect for humanitarian missions because it could function on smaller runways that are typical in remote locations. Each plane could carry a payload of 8.2 tonnes.

Legal Action Started

A legal document sent by legal representatives representing the operator to the manufacturer claims that, following the announcement, its twelve aid aircraft "cannot be operated" and are now "worthless for their intended use".

The correspondence references electronic communications and meetings between the company's executives and the airline that the Kenyan company asserts demonstrate it was given the impression that continued maintenance would be provided for at least five years.

The communication states that the action was taken "with no any discussion with or official notice to" the operator.

The spokesperson for the arms company stated: "The company do not provide statements on potential legal proceedings."

Permanent Action

At the same time, documents from the manufacturer show that its move to withdraw the airworthiness certificate for the aircraft is "permanent and unchangeable".

One letter from the arms company's director of commercial aircraft programmes, dated spring 2025, stated the firm intended to inform the British aviation regulator it wanted to "begin the procedure to willingly relinquish the aircraft type certificate."

Aid Emergency Data

• Across Somalia, over four million people face emergency levels of hunger
• Nearly two million young children aged below five years are experiencing severe hunger
• Throughout South Sudan, over seven million people face acute food insecurity – over 50% the total population
• A record over 27 million individuals in the DRC are facing severe hunger

The crisis is most severe in eastern regions where families have lost ability to their income sources after extended conflict in the region.

Following the company's decision, the operator has closed operations in Kenya and is now seeking £187m in damages and compensation for what it describes "careless false information and misstatement" by the manufacturer.

Market analysts predict the arms company's profits to grow more this year as it benefits from increased military expenditure globally amid increasing global instability.