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

Humanitarian Crisis Worsens in Several African Nations

This decision diminishes the delivery of crucial assistance to countries experiencing severe humanitarian crises, such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This defense corporation recently announced historic profits of more than three billion pounds, supported by rising defense expenditure linked to global conflicts.

Market analysts believe the action to withdraw maintenance for the aid fleet was taken to enable the firm to focus on ventures connected with increased military spending by global alliances.

Major Humanitarian Agreements Cancelled

Multiple important humanitarian agreements have been cancelled since the decision, among them one with the UN's World Food Programme to transport aid to twelve locations across East Africa where nearly five million individuals face crisis situations of food insecurity.

This development comes after the firm's move to voluntarily surrender the airworthiness approval issued by the UK's aviation regulator for its last civilian aircraft model.

The company notified European aviation authorities that these models were not manufactured and that, to their knowledge, only few planes remained in service.

Impact on Humanitarian Missions

Although several countries still have the aircraft registered, the final operator was a East African cargo operator that focused in delivering humanitarian aid across east Africa.

"Our aid these aircraft delivered offered a lifeline to the populations of South Sudan and the DRC during a period of significant worldwide instability," commented the operator's leader.

"This sudden withdrawal of maintenance for all fleet has grounded the aircraft and halted essential supplies to those most vulnerable. Now, the populations of the region face an growing perilous situation while the company focuses on their commercial interests."

Between March 2023 and last month, the aircraft transported 18,677 tons of supplies to Somalia, Tanzania, Central African Republic and additional regional nations.

Food Security Estimates

According to aid agencies, one ton of food – typically including grains, pulses and cooking oil – can satisfy the everyday requirements of approximately 1,660 people.

The specific aircraft type was considered perfect for aid operations because it could function on smaller airstrips that are common in remote locations. Every aircraft could transport a payload of over 8 tons.

Legal Proceedings Initiated

A pre-action letter submitted by legal representatives acting for the airline to the manufacturer states that, since the announcement, its 12 humanitarian aircraft "are unable to be operated" and are now "valueless for their intended use".

The documentation cites electronic communications and discussions between the company's executives and the operator that the Nairobi-based firm claims demonstrate it was led to believe that ongoing support 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 airline.

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

Irreversible Action

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

One letter from the defense company's director of regional aircraft programs, dated May 2025, said the firm intended to notify the British Civil Aviation Authority it wanted to "begin the procedure to willingly surrender the model approval."

Humanitarian Emergency Data

• In the region, 4.6 million people face crisis levels of food insecurity
• Nearly 1.8 million children under five are experiencing severe malnutrition
• Throughout South Sudan, over seven million individuals face acute hunger – over half the entire population
• An unprecedented 27.7 million individuals in the DRC are experiencing acute hunger

This situation is worst in eastern regions where communities have lost access to their income sources after prolonged violence in the region.

Since the manufacturer's announcement, the airline has ceased activities in Kenya and is now seeking 187 million pounds in damages and restitution for what it describes "careless misrepresentation and misstatement" by the manufacturer.

Market analysts predict the defense manufacturer's earnings to increase more this year as it benefits from rising defense spending worldwide amid increasing international tensions.