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The UK's leading arms manufacturer has quietly ended maintenance for a fleet of planes that were delivering crucial humanitarian aid to some of the world's poorest nations.

Aid Crisis Worsens in Several African Countries

This move diminishes the delivery of crucial aid to countries experiencing serious humanitarian crises, such as South Sudan and the DRC.

The defense corporation recently announced historic earnings of more than three billion pounds, supported by increased military expenditure linked to international conflicts.

Market analysts believe the decision to withdraw support for the humanitarian fleet was made to allow the company to focus on projects related to higher defense budgets by global alliances.

Significant Aid Agreements Terminated

Multiple critical aid agreements have been terminated since the announcement, including one with the United Nations' WFP to deliver aid to twelve locations across East Africa where almost 5 million individuals face crisis levels of hunger.

This development comes after the company's decision to willingly relinquish the airworthiness approval granted by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority for its final civilian aircraft model.

The company informed European aircraft authorities that these models were not manufactured and that, to their knowledge, very few planes remained in operation.

Impact on Aid Operations

Though several nations still have the aircraft listed, the last known operator was a Kenyan air-cargo company that specialized in transporting emergency supplies across the region.

"The assistance these aircraft delivered represented a lifeline to the populations of South Sudan and the DRC during a period of great global instability," stated the company's director.

"This unexpected withdrawal of support for all planes has immobilized the planes and halted essential resources to those most vulnerable. Now, the people of the region face an growing dangerous situation while the manufacturer prioritizes their commercial interests."

Between March 2023 and last month, the fleet transported 18,677 tonnes of supplies to Somalia, Chad, Central African Republic and additional African countries.

Nutrition Security Estimates

According to humanitarian organizations, one ton of food – usually containing cereals, pulses and cooking oil – can meet the daily needs of approximately over 1,600 individuals.

This specific aircraft type was regarded perfect for humanitarian missions because it could operate on shorter runways that are typical in remote areas. Every aircraft could transport a load of 8.2 tonnes.

Legal Action Started

A legal letter submitted by lawyers acting for the airline to the company states that, following the decision, its twelve humanitarian aircraft "cannot be operated" and are now "valueless for their intended use".

The documentation references electronic communications and discussions between the manufacturer's senior leadership and the airline that the Kenyan company asserts demonstrate it was led to believe that continued maintenance would be provided for a minimum of five more years.

This correspondence adds that the decision was taken "with no any discussion with or formal notice to" the operator.

The representative for the defense company said: "The company do not comment on potential litigation."

Permanent Action

At the same time, correspondence from the manufacturer indicate that its move to withdraw the safety approval for the aircraft is "permanent and irreversible".

A communication from the defense company's director of commercial aircraft programmes, from May 2025, stated the company planned to notify the British Civil Aviation Authority it wanted to "start the process to willingly relinquish the aircraft type certificate."

Aid Crisis Statistics

• Across Somalia, 4.6 million individuals face crisis levels of food insecurity
• Nearly 1.8 million children under five are experiencing severe malnutrition
• In South Sudan, over seven million individuals face serious food insecurity – over 50% the total people
• An unprecedented over 27 million people in the Congo are experiencing severe hunger

The situation is most severe in eastern regions where communities have been deprived of access to their livelihoods after prolonged violence in the region.

Following the manufacturer's decision, the airline has closed activities in Kenya and is now seeking 187 million pounds in damages and compensation for what it describes "careless false information and inaccurate statements" by the manufacturer.

Industry analysts expect the defense company's profits to grow further this year as it profits from rising defense expenditure globally amid increasing international instability.