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Britain's leading arms manufacturer has discreetly terminated maintenance for a group of planes that were delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to some of the globe's poorest countries.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Several East African Countries

This move diminishes the distribution of crucial assistance to countries experiencing severe humanitarian crises, including Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The defense corporation this year announced historic profits of more than £3bn, supported by rising defense expenditure linked to global conflicts.

Industry analysts suggest the decision to scrap support for the humanitarian fleet was taken to enable the firm to pursue ventures connected with higher military spending by global organizations.

Major Humanitarian Contracts Cancelled

Several critical aid agreements have been cancelled since the decision, including one with the United Nations' WFP to transport aid to twelve locations across East Africa where nearly five million people face emergency levels of food insecurity.

The situation comes after the firm's move to willingly relinquish the type certificate issued by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority for its final commercial aircraft model.

The manufacturer notified EU aviation regulators that these aircraft were not manufactured and that, as far as they knew, very few planes remained in service.

Consequences on Humanitarian Missions

Though multiple countries still have the aircraft registered, the final user was a Kenyan air-cargo company that specialized in transporting humanitarian aid across east Africa.

"Our assistance our planes provided represented a lifeline to the people of South Sudan and the Congo during a period of significant worldwide instability," stated the operator's director.

"This sudden withdrawal of support for all planes has immobilized the aircraft and halted essential supplies to those most in need. Currently, the populations of east Africa face an increasingly dangerous crisis while the manufacturer focuses on their commercial interests."

From March 2023 and last month, the aircraft delivered 18,677 tonnes of supplies to Somalia, Tanzania, Central African Republic and other African nations.

Food Needs Estimates

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

The specific aircraft type was regarded ideal for humanitarian missions because it could operate on smaller airstrips that are typical in isolated areas. Every plane could carry a load of over 8 tons.

Legal Action Started

One legal document sent by legal representatives representing the airline to the manufacturer states that, since the announcement, its twelve aid planes "are unable to be operated" and are now "worthless for their intended use".

This correspondence references electronic communications and meetings between the manufacturer's executives and the airline that the Nairobi-based firm asserts demonstrate it was led to believe that continued maintenance would be offered for a minimum of five more years.

This correspondence states that the decision was taken "without any discussion with or formal notification to" the operator.

A spokesperson for the defense company stated: "We do not comment on ongoing litigation."

Permanent Action

Meanwhile, correspondence from the company show that its decision to withdraw the airworthiness certificate for the aircraft is "permanent and irreversible".

One communication from the arms firm's head of commercial airplane programmes, dated spring 2025, stated the firm planned to notify the British aviation regulator it wanted to "begin the procedure to willingly relinquish the model approval."

Humanitarian Emergency Statistics

• Across Somalia, 4.6 million people face emergency situations of hunger
• Nearly 1.8 million young children under five are experiencing severe malnutrition
• Throughout the nation, over seven million people face serious food insecurity – over 50% the total people
• An unprecedented 27.7 million people in the Congo are experiencing acute food shortages

This situation is most severe in east provinces where families have been deprived of ability to their income sources after extended violence in the area.

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

Market analysts expect the defense manufacturer's earnings to grow further this year as it benefits from rising defense expenditure globally amid increasing global instability.