Britain’s biggest weapons manufacturer, BAE Systems, is currently facing a £120m lawsuit after scrapping support for aircraft used to deliver aid. This aid support was supposed to be for countries who are most vulnerable.
EnComm Aviation Claims Aid Operations were Severely Disrupted
EnComm Aviation is a Kenyan aid cargo operator who claims the decision forced the cancellation of humanitarian contracts. As well as the reduction of supplies for South Sudan which is now facing famine. Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among the countries that were part of the contract.
BAE Systems recently reported that sales have risen by more than £30 billion, which is due to escalating defence spending as global conflicts and military tension fuels demands. Encomm is taking legal action against BAE, for allegedly breaching contractual duty of care after the company withdrew from Advanced Turbo-Prop (ATP) aircraft. Between March 2023 and last September, the ATP aircraft delivered 18,677 tonnes of aid to Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Chad.
Grounded aircraft raise concerns for humanitarian missions in Africa
The aircraft was ideal for aid missions to remote locations because it could operate on short airstrips. EnComm cancelled several humanitarian contracts after BAE’s decision, including a UN programme to fly aid to 12 destinations across Somalia where 6.5 million people face a shortage of food.
EnComm Aviation’s Director, Jackton Obuola stated:
“BAE’s pursuit of profit has cut off humanitarian aid for those most in need, destroying lives and our business in the process.”
Obuola describes the manufacturer’s decision came at a time when humanitarian relief was being slashed globally and called it “unprecedented” in aviation. A pre-action letter was sent by lawyers from EnComm to BAE Systems. In the letter it referenced emails and meetings from BAE’s senior leadership that led the cargo operator to believe that the arms manufacturer would provide continued support for its ATP for at least five years.
EnComm aviation alleges BAE’s decision rendered its aircraft fleet of little or no real value beyond scrap and is seeking £120m in losses and damages.
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