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The UK's primary arms manufacturer has discreetly ended support for a group of planes that were delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to some of the globe's poorest countries.

Humanitarian Emergency Worsens in Several African Nations

The decision diminishes the distribution of crucial assistance to nations experiencing severe emergency situations, including South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The arms firm this year announced record earnings of over £3bn, boosted by increased military expenditure linked to global tensions.

Market analysts believe the decision to withdraw support for the humanitarian aircraft was made to allow the firm to focus on ventures related to increased defense budgets by international organizations.

Major Humanitarian Contracts Terminated

Multiple important aid agreements have been cancelled following the announcement, including one with the United Nations' WFP to deliver aid to twelve locations across East Africa where nearly 5 million people face emergency levels of hunger.

This situation comes after the firm's decision to voluntarily surrender the airworthiness approval issued by the Britain's Civil Aviation Authority for its final commercial aircraft model.

The manufacturer notified EU aviation authorities that these aircraft were no longer manufactured and that, to their knowledge, only few planes remained in service.

Impact on Humanitarian Operations

Although several countries still have the planes registered, the last known operator was a East African air-cargo operator that specialized in transporting humanitarian aid across the region.

"The assistance these aircraft provided represented a crucial support to the people of South Sudan and the Congo during a period of significant worldwide instability," stated the company's director.

"This sudden withdrawal of support for all planes has grounded the aircraft and cut off essential resources to those most in need. Currently, the people of the region face an growing dangerous crisis while the company focuses on their commercial interests."

From spring 2023 and last month, the aircraft transported nearly 19,000 tonnes of supplies to Somalia, Tanzania, Central African Republic and other regional countries.

Food Security Calculations

Per aid agencies, one ton of nutritional supplies – usually including grains, pulses and cooking oil – can meet the daily needs of approximately over 1,600 individuals.

The particular plane type was considered ideal for humanitarian missions because it could function on shorter runways that are typical in isolated locations. Each aircraft could transport a payload of 8.2 tonnes.

Juridical Proceedings Initiated

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

This documentation cites emails and discussions between the company's executives and the airline that the Nairobi-based company asserts demonstrate it was given the impression that ongoing support would be provided for a minimum of five years.

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

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

Permanent Action

Meanwhile, correspondence from the company show that its decision to revoke the airworthiness certificate for the aircraft is "final and irreversible".

A letter from the defense firm's director of regional airplane programmes, dated spring 2025, stated the firm intended to inform the UK aviation regulator it wanted to "begin the procedure to voluntarily surrender the model approval."

Humanitarian Crisis Data

• Across the region, 4.6 million individuals face emergency situations of food insecurity
• Nearly two million children under five are suffering from acute malnutrition
• Throughout South Sudan, 7.7 million people face serious food insecurity – more than half the total people
• An unprecedented 27.7 million people in the DRC are facing severe hunger

The situation is worst in east provinces where families have lost ability to their income sources after extended violence in the region.

Since the company's decision, the operator has ceased operations in Kenya and is now seeking 187 million pounds in losses and compensation for what it describes "negligent false information and misstatement" by the manufacturer.

Market analysts expect the defense manufacturer's profits to increase more this year as it benefits from increased defense expenditure globally amid increasing international tensions.