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Britain's primary arms company has quietly terminated maintenance for a group of planes that were providing life-saving emergency assistance to among the globe's poorest countries.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Several African Nations

The move diminishes the delivery of crucial assistance to countries experiencing severe humanitarian crises, such as Somalia and the DRC.

This defense firm this year announced record earnings of more than £3bn, boosted by rising military expenditure associated with international tensions.

Market observers believe the decision to withdraw support for the aid aircraft was taken to enable the firm to focus on ventures connected with higher military budgets by international alliances.

Major Humanitarian Contracts Terminated

Several critical humanitarian agreements have been terminated following the decision, including one with the UN's WFP to deliver supplies to 12 destinations across Somalia where nearly 5 million individuals face crisis levels of hunger.

The situation follows the company's decision to willingly relinquish the type certificate granted by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority for its final civilian plane type.

This manufacturer informed EU aviation authorities that these aircraft were not manufactured and that, as far as they knew, only few aircraft remained in operation.

Consequences on Humanitarian Operations

Although multiple countries still have the aircraft listed, the last known user was a East African cargo operator that specialized in delivering humanitarian aid across the region.

"The aid our planes provided offered a crucial support to the people of Somalia and the Congo during a time of great worldwide instability," stated the operator's leader.

"This unexpected termination of maintenance for our entire fleet has grounded the aircraft and halted vital resources to those most vulnerable. Currently, the populations of east Africa face an increasingly perilous situation while the manufacturer prioritizes their commercial profits."

Between spring 2023 and last month, the aircraft delivered 18,677 tonnes of aid to Somalia, Chad, Central African Republic and other African nations.

Nutrition Security Estimates

According to humanitarian agencies, one tonne of food – usually containing grains, pulses and oil – can meet the daily needs of about 1,660 people.

The specific plane model was considered ideal for aid operations because it could operate on smaller runways that are common in remote locations. Every plane could transport a load of 8.2 tonnes.

Juridical Action Initiated

A legal document submitted by legal representatives representing the airline to the company claims that, following the announcement, its 12 aid aircraft "cannot be operated" and are now "valueless for their primary use".

The correspondence references emails and meetings between the company's senior leadership and the airline that the Nairobi-based company claims show it was led to believe that ongoing support would be offered for at least five years.

This communication states that the decision was taken "with no any discussion with or formal notification to" the airline.

A spokesperson for the arms manufacturer said: "The company do not comment on ongoing legal proceedings."

Permanent Action

Meanwhile, documents from the company show that its decision to withdraw the airworthiness certificate for the planes is "final and unchangeable".

A letter from the defense firm's director of regional aircraft programmes, from May 2025, said the company planned to inform the British aviation regulator it wanted to "begin the procedure to voluntarily relinquish the model approval."

Aid Emergency Data

• In Somalia, over four million people face emergency levels of hunger
• Nearly two million children under five are suffering from acute malnutrition
• Throughout South Sudan, over seven million people face acute food insecurity – over half the total population
• A record over 27 million people in the Congo are facing severe hunger

This crisis is worst in east provinces where communities have been deprived of ability to their income sources after prolonged violence in the area.

Since the manufacturer's decision, the airline has ceased activities in Kenya and is now claiming £187m in losses and restitution for what it describes "careless false information and inaccurate statements" by the company.

Market analysts expect the defense manufacturer's earnings to increase more this year as it benefits from rising defense expenditure worldwide amid increasing global tensions.