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).

BAE Systems announced record profits this year of more than £3bn, buoyed by increased defence spending linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The decision to scrap support for the aid aircraft is thought to have been made in order for the defence firm to pursue projects related to Nato members’ 5% increase in spending on arms .

Several major humanitarian contracts have been cancelled si

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