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The UK's primary arms manufacturer has discreetly ended maintenance for a fleet of planes that were providing life-saving emergency assistance to among the world's most impoverished countries.

Aid Crisis Worsens in Several African Countries

The move diminishes the distribution of vital aid to countries experiencing severe emergency situations, including South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This arms corporation this year announced record profits of more than three billion pounds, supported by rising military spending linked to global tensions.

Industry observers believe the decision to withdraw support for the aid aircraft was taken to allow the firm to pursue projects related to higher defense spending by global organizations.

Major Aid Agreements Terminated

Several important humanitarian contracts have been terminated following the decision, among them one with the UN's World Food Programme to transport supplies to twelve destinations across East Africa where nearly five million people face crisis situations of hunger.

The development follows the company's move to voluntarily relinquish the type certificate granted by the Britain's Civil Aviation Authority for its final commercial aircraft model.

The company notified European aviation authorities that these aircraft were no longer manufactured and that, as far as they knew, very few aircraft remained in service.

Impact on Humanitarian Operations

Though several countries still have the planes listed, the last known operator was a Kenyan cargo operator that focused in delivering humanitarian aid across the region.

"Our aid these planes delivered offered a lifeline to the populations of Somalia and the Congo during a time of significant global uncertainty," stated the company's director.

"The sudden withdrawal of support for our entire planes has immobilized the planes and halted essential supplies to those most in need. Now, the populations of the region face an increasingly dangerous crisis while the manufacturer prioritizes their own profits."

From March 2023 and recently, the aircraft delivered nearly 19,000 tons of aid to South Sudan, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo and additional regional countries.

Nutrition Needs Calculations

Per aid agencies, one ton of food – usually including cereals, pulses and cooking oil – can meet the daily needs of about over 1,600 people.

This particular plane model was considered perfect for aid operations because it could function on smaller runways that are typical in remote locations. Each plane could transport a load of over 8 tons.

Legal Action Started

One pre-action letter sent by lawyers representing the operator to the manufacturer claims that, following the decision, its 12 humanitarian planes "are unable to be used" and are now "worthless for their intended use".

This correspondence cites emails and discussions between the manufacturer's executives and the operator that the Kenyan company claims show it was led to believe that continued support would be offered for a minimum of five years.

The correspondence states that the action was taken "without any discussion with or formal notification to" the airline.

A representative for the arms company stated: "We do not provide statements on ongoing legal proceedings."

Irreversible Decision

At the same time, documents from the manufacturer indicate that its move to revoke the safety approval for the aircraft is "final and irreversible".

One communication from the arms firm's head of commercial aircraft programmes, dated spring 2025, stated the company intended to notify the British Civil Aviation Authority it wanted to "begin the procedure to voluntarily relinquish the model approval."

Aid Crisis Statistics

• Across Somalia, over four million people face emergency situations of hunger
• Approximately 1.8 million young children aged below five years are suffering from severe malnutrition
• Throughout the nation, 7.7 million individuals face acute hunger – more than 50% the total population
• An unprecedented 27.7 million individuals in the Congo are experiencing severe hunger

This situation is worst in eastern regions where communities have been deprived of access to their livelihoods after prolonged violence in the area.

Since the manufacturer's announcement, the operator has ceased operations in Kenya and is now seeking £187m in losses and compensation for what it describes "negligent false information and misstatement" by the company.

Industry experts predict the arms manufacturer's earnings to grow further this year as it profits from rising defense expenditure worldwide amid growing global tensions.