MH370: British submarine joins search for missing plane

A British submarine will join the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plane today as crews search under, on and above the surface of the ocean for any sign of the aircraft.

The Trafalgar Class submarine has arrived in the southern Indian Ocean to help in the search for the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 that went missing on 8 March.

UK Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond made a call to Malaysia Defence Minister and acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on 1 April to inform him of the deployment.

So pleased 2 see UK onboard - We will never forget! “@HCSFeatherstone: H2O We are pleased 2 b contributing 2 d international search effort.”
— Hishammuddin Hussein (@HishammuddinH2O) April 2, 2014

With the submarine’s advanced underwater search capability, HMS Tireless will be able to contribute to attempt to locate the missing plane.

HMS Tireless will join a fleet of aircraft from six nations and numerous ships already involved in the search 1,800 kilometres south-west of Perth.

The MH370 search area on April 2, 2014.

The UK has remained in close touch with Malaysian authorities since the disappearance of the aircraft and is providing a range of support.

Additionally, HMS Echo is due to arrive in the southern Indian Ocean to assist the search. As well as assisting the search for the transponder on the black box, HMS Echo will play an important role in the search for debris on the surface. Her advanced Environmental Assessment capability will also help the search authorities to optimise search operations.

The UK Government is also assisting by lending expertise to provide technical assistance and specialist capabilities from across the Ministry of Defence, the Hydrographic office, Department for Transport and the Met Office to help locate the aircraft.

Four Royal Air Force personnel on secondment to the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Forces are also actively involved in maritime search operations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is due to arrive in Perth, Australia on Wednesday for a two-day working visit to observe the multi-national operations into the search for missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 from the western Australian city.

While in Perth, Najib is also scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to discuss various issues, specifically the latest developments in the search operation and the direction it will take.