New MH370 Deep-Sea Search Begins: Will AUVs Locate the Missing Boeing 777?

December 31, 2025 at 05:35 PM•3 min read

Malaysia's Transport Ministry confirmed a new deep-sea search for missing Flight 370 began, using Ocean Infinity's Armada 86 05 and AUVs in the southern Indian Ocean.

Key Points

1The deep-sea search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370) resumed on December 30, 2025, more than a decade after the Boeing 777 vanished.
2Ocean Infinity's vessel, the Armada 86 05, is deploying advanced Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) to scour a refined 15,000-25,000 sq km area in the southern Indian Ocean.
3The search is being conducted under a 'no-find, no-fee' agreement with the Malaysian government, with a payment of up to $70 million contingent on locating the main wreckage.
4Finding the MH370 wreckage is critical for providing closure and yielding data to inform future global aviation safety regulations.

A new deep-sea search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has begun. This effort revives the hunt for the missing Boeing 777 more than a decade after its disappearance. The search is underway in the remote southern Indian Ocean search area.

Malaysia’s Transport Ministry made the official announcement on Wednesday. The ministry confirmed the vessel Armada 86 05 arrived at the designated zone. This ship is operated by the marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity.

Key Details of the Renewed Search

The Armada 86 05 is a high-tech offshore support vessel. It departed from Fremantle Port in Western Australia. The vessel is now searching a refined area of up to 25,000 square kilometers. This zone is believed to have the highest probability for the MH370 wreckage location.

Ocean Infinity is conducting the deep-sea search for MH370 under a unique contract. This is a no-find, no-fee agreement with the Malaysian government. The company will receive up to $70 million only if the main wreckage is found.

Advanced Technology Deployment

The search relies on advanced deep-sea robotics for seabed mapping. The Armada 86 05 is deploying a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). These AUVs are equipped with high-resolution sonar and advanced sensors. They can operate at depths of nearly 6,000 meters. This technology represents a significant upgrade from previous search attempts.

The search is planned to run intermittently for approximately 55 days.
The AUVs use side-scan sonar to create detailed 3D images of the seafloor.
The new search area is just beyond the final satellite ping location, known as the "7th arc."

The MH370 Legacy and Industry Impact

Flight MH370 vanished on March 8, 2014, with 239 people aboard. It was en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The aircraft disappeared from radar after deviating from its planned route. The reason for this course change remains unknown, fueling aviation's greatest mystery.

Solving the mystery of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 search is crucial. Locating the wreckage could provide closure to the families of the victims. It is also vital for the global aviation industry. Finding the flight data recorders would offer critical safety insights. This could lead to new regulations for long-haul flight tracking. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) often reviews safety standards following such events. The disappearance has already prompted discussions on better aircraft tracking systems.

This renewed effort, led by Ocean Infinity, demonstrates the industry's commitment. It shows a dedication to leveraging technology to improve safety and resolve long-standing cases. The search for the missing Boeing 777 is a major focus in commercial aviation news. For more updates on this and other industry developments, visit https://flying.flights. The government of Malaysia, through its Transport Ministry, maintains an unwavering commitment to the search. The use of advanced AUVs by Ocean Infinity highlights the increasing role of marine robotics in deep-sea recovery.