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Britain's leading arms company has quietly ended maintenance for a group of planes that were providing crucial humanitarian aid to some of the globe's poorest countries.

Humanitarian Emergency Worsens in Several African Countries

The move further reduces the distribution of vital aid to nations facing severe emergency situations, such as Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The defense corporation this year announced record profits of over £3bn, boosted by increased military spending associated with global tensions.

Market observers believe the decision to withdraw maintenance for the humanitarian fleet was taken to allow the company to pursue projects related to higher defense budgets by global organizations.

Major Humanitarian Agreements Terminated

Multiple important aid contracts have been terminated following the decision, including one with the UN's World Food Programme to transport aid to 12 destinations across Somalia where nearly five million people face emergency levels of food insecurity.

This situation follows the firm's move to willingly surrender the type certificate issued by the Britain's aviation regulator for its last commercial plane type.

The company informed European aviation regulators that these aircraft were no longer produced and that, as far as they knew, very few aircraft remained in operation.

Consequences on Aid Missions

Although multiple nations still have the planes listed, the last known user was a East African cargo operator that specialized in transporting emergency supplies across east Africa.

"The assistance these aircraft provided represented a crucial support to the people of Somalia and the Congo during a time of significant worldwide uncertainty," stated the company's leader.

"This sudden termination of support for all planes has immobilized the aircraft and halted vital resources to those most in need. Now, the populations of the region face an increasingly perilous situation while the company prioritizes their commercial interests."

From spring 2023 and recently, the aircraft transported nearly 19,000 tonnes of supplies to Somalia, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and other regional nations.

Food Security Estimates

According to aid organizations, one ton of food – typically including grains, pulses and oil – can meet the daily requirements of approximately 1,660 people.

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

Juridical Proceedings Initiated

A legal letter sent by lawyers representing the airline to the company states that, following the announcement, its 12 humanitarian aircraft "cannot be used" and are now "worthless for their intended purpose".

This documentation cites electronic communications and meetings between the manufacturer's executives and the operator that the Nairobi-based firm claims demonstrate it was led to believe that ongoing support would be offered for a minimum of five more years.

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

The representative for the defense company said: "The company do not provide statements on potential legal proceedings."

Permanent Decision

At the same time, documents from the manufacturer show that its move to revoke the safety approval for the planes is "final and irreversible".

A communication from the arms company's director of commercial aircraft programs, from May 2025, stated the company planned to notify the British aviation regulator it wanted to "start the procedure to willingly relinquish the model approval."

Humanitarian Crisis Statistics

• In Somalia, 4.6 million people face crisis situations of food insecurity
• Nearly two million young children aged below five years are suffering from acute malnutrition
• Throughout the nation, 7.7 million people face serious food insecurity – more than half the entire people
• A record 27.7 million people in the DRC are facing acute hunger

This crisis is worst in east regions where families have lost access to their income sources after extended conflict in the region.

Since the company's announcement, the airline has closed activities in Kenya and is now claiming 187 million pounds in damages and restitution for what it calls "negligent false information and inaccurate statements" by the manufacturer.

Market analysts predict the defense manufacturer's profits to grow further this year as it benefits from rising military spending worldwide amid growing global tensions.