UK’s biggest weapons firm BAE grounds ‘lifeline’ aircraft delivering food aid

One of BAE’s Advanced Turbo-Prop aeroplanes used by Kenya’s EnComm Aviation to deliver aid to Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic and Chad. EnComm claims BAE’s move to surrender its CAA type certificate has in effect grounded its fleet. Photograph: EnComm Aviation

Britain’s biggest weapons manufacturer, BAE Systems, has quietly scrapped support for a fleet of aircraft providing “life-saving” humanitarian aid to some of the world’s poorest countries.

The decision further reduces the distribution of vital aid to countries facing serious humanitarian crises, including South Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).