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The UK's leading defense company has quietly ended maintenance for a group of planes that were delivering life-saving emergency assistance to among the world's most impoverished nations.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Multiple African Nations

The move further reduces the distribution of vital aid to nations experiencing serious humanitarian crises, including South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The arms firm this year reported historic profits of more than three billion pounds, boosted by rising military spending linked to international tensions.

Industry observers suggest the decision to scrap maintenance for the humanitarian fleet was taken to enable the firm to focus on ventures related to higher military spending by global organizations.

Major Humanitarian Contracts Cancelled

Multiple important aid agreements have been cancelled following the decision, among them one with the UN's WFP to transport supplies to 12 locations across East Africa where almost 5 million people face emergency levels of food insecurity.

This development follows the company's decision to willingly surrender the airworthiness approval granted by the Britain's aviation regulator for its final commercial plane type.

The manufacturer informed EU aviation regulators that these models were not produced and that, as far as they knew, very few planes remained in service.

Consequences on Aid Missions

Though multiple nations still have the aircraft listed, the final operator was a Kenyan air-cargo company that focused in delivering humanitarian aid across the region.

"The aid our aircraft provided represented a crucial support to the people of South Sudan and the DRC during a time of significant worldwide uncertainty," commented the company's leader.

"This sudden withdrawal of support for our entire planes has immobilized the planes and cut off vital supplies to those most in need. Currently, the populations of the region face an growing perilous situation while the company focuses on their own interests."

Between March 2023 and last month, the fleet transported nearly 19,000 tons of supplies to Somalia, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and other African countries.

Nutrition Needs Calculations

According to aid agencies, one ton of food – usually containing cereals, pulses and oil – can satisfy the everyday needs of approximately over 1,600 individuals.

This particular aircraft model was regarded ideal for aid operations because it could function on shorter runways that are typical in remote locations. Each plane could transport a payload of 8.2 tonnes.

Legal Proceedings Started

One pre-action document sent by lawyers acting for the operator to the company claims that, following the announcement, its twelve aid planes "cannot be used" and are now "worthless for their intended use".

The documentation references emails and meetings between the company's senior leadership and the operator that the Nairobi-based firm asserts show it was given the impression that ongoing support would be provided for at least five more years.

The correspondence states that the action was taken "with no any consultation with or official notice to" the operator.

A spokesperson for the defense company stated: "The company do not comment on potential litigation."

Permanent Decision

At the same time, correspondence from the manufacturer indicate that its decision to withdraw the airworthiness certificate for the planes is "permanent and unchangeable".

A communication from the arms company's director of commercial aircraft programmes, dated spring 2025, stated the firm planned to inform the UK Civil Aviation Authority it wanted to "start the procedure to voluntarily relinquish the aircraft type certificate."

Aid Emergency Data

• Across Somalia, over four million individuals face crisis situations of hunger
• Approximately 1.8 million young children aged below five years are experiencing severe hunger
• In the nation, 7.7 million individuals face serious food insecurity – over 50% the total population
• A record over 27 million people in the Congo are experiencing severe hunger

This crisis is most severe in east regions where families have been deprived of access to their income sources after extended conflict in the region.

Following the company's decision, the airline has closed operations in East Africa and is now claiming £187m in losses and compensation for what it describes "careless false information and misstatement" by the company.

Industry experts predict the defense company's profits to grow further this year as it benefits from rising defense spending worldwide amid growing international instability.