Isabella Richards

The company, Ocean Infinity, concluded its first search in 2018 without any success, but is set to begin the investigation again by the first half of 2023, after investing in more advanced technology.

It is setting aside an additional $1 million of funding to provide freight and passenger transport assistance for victims of the disaster.

The AN-225 travelled to Australia for the first time in May 2016, when it touched down in Perth, carrying a 135-tonne generator for a resources company.

Chinese military professional Song Zhongping said the incident was almost certainly the fault of the RAAF P-8A Poseidon because it conducted a close-in reconnaissance on the warships.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has condemned China for the act, claiming it was “reckless and irresponsible” and that the nation is raising the issue directly with diplomatic and defence channels.

Along with the US Air Force, and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku-Jieitai), the counterparts engaged in a range of drills aimed at enhancing their collective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities.