‘Final’ major search for missing MH370 begins

The last major search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has begun with $110 million spent on motherships and drones.

The last major search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has begun, with a British firm deploying cutting-edge technology in a high-stakes bid to solve aviation’s greatest mystery.

Marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has dispatched its mothership, the Armada 7806, to a new search zone in the southern Indian Ocean, 1930km off Perth, Australia.

According to marine tracking data, the vessel has been methodically sweeping the area, and experts believe autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have already been launched to scan the seabed.

Victor Iannello, an MH370 expert, said on X: “Armada 7806 appears to be launching AUVs to first scan areas from previous MH370 searches that were either avoided or produced data deemed difficult to interpret due to challenging terrain.

A computer-generated image shows what the MH370’s final moments might look like after it’s believed to have plummeted into the Southern Indian Ocean in 2014. Picture: National Geographic

“This includes the area we define as the High Priority Search Area.”

Ocean Infinity has not confirmed whether the AUVs have been deployed but has been approached for comment.

A spokesperson said the company had no updates at this time.

Last hope

Ocean Infinity’s search vessel has been deployed to a new search zone in the southern Indian Ocean. Picture: Ocean Infinity

This third major search for MH370 is seen as a last-ditch effort.

Two previous large-scale hunts – one led by Australia covering 120,000 square kilometres and another by Ocean Infinity in 2018 — ended without success.

With search costs mounting and no new evidence emerging, experts warn there may be nowhere left to look if this attempt fails.

Despite this, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke remains optimistic.

“They have gathered all the data and they are convinced that the current search area is more credible,” he said on Tuesday.

Targeting high-priority areas

(A member of Indonesia's National Search and Rescue looks over horizon during a search in the Andaman Sea around the northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island for the missing Malaysian Airlines MH370 plane on March 17, 2014. Picture: Chaideer mahyuddin/AFP

The Armada 7806 is expected to spend up to six weeks scouring several key areas, including a “high priority” zone identified by independent researchers.

This region was previously missed due to its steep underwater terrain, making searches difficult.

A tweet from an aviation analyst shows the vessel’s movement over the search zone, comparing it to previous sweeps.

The image highlights the Armada 7806 crossing the “7th arc” — a calculated crash zone based on satellite data — while appearing to coordinate AUV operations.

his image shows the vessel going back and forth over the search area – the red zone is what has been previously searched. Picture: x/BigOceanData

If wreckage is found, Malaysia would have to approve any recovery efforts, but the discovery would mark a major breakthrough after more than a decade of unanswered questions.

Grace Nathan, whose mother was on board MH370, welcomed the renewed search.

“We’re very relieved and pleased that the search is resuming once again after such a long hiatus,” she told AFP.

A woman writes a message during an event held by relatives of the passengers and supporters. Picture: Arif Kartono / AFP)

The Armada 7806 is equipped with state-of-the-art sonar, cameras, and 3D imaging technology capable of scanning the ocean floor at depths of up to 6km.

However, experts caution that the terrain remains treacherous.

Richard Godfrey, an independent researcher, put the odds of success at “about 50-50,” The Telegraph reports.

“People think the seabed is smooth, but really it’s a horrible place,” he said.

“It’s covered in canyons and cliffs, seamounts and volcanoes, pitch black with huge pressure and temperatures only slightly above zero.”

The Boeing 777 vanished 11 years ago with 239 people on board.

Final push

Malaysia has given “in-principle” approval for Ocean Infinity’s “no find, no fee” contract, meaning the firm would receive £55 million – $110 million – only if it locates the wreckage.

However, with the southern hemisphere winter approaching, the company appears to have decided to act now rather than wait for formalities.

This search may be the last realistic opportunity to locate MH370 unless new evidence emerges.

Eleven years after the Boeing 777 vanished with 239 people on board, families of the victims are still desperate for closure.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission