Flight 370: the most expensive search operation ever

The search mission for the missing Malaysian plane is about to become the most expensive rescue operation the world has ever seen as the joined military forces of US, Australia, China, and Vietnam have already spent $44 million in one month search time.

As a comparison, the sum is approximately the same as the amount of money spent on the search of the Air France jet that disappeared in 2009. Only that search operation lasted for two years.

In addition, the $44 million already invested don’t include the money spent for civilian aircraft, accommodation for hundreds of intelligence analysts and personnel worldwide among other costs. All these combined add up to ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’, according to Reuters.

So far, Australia, the leader of the search operations, has bared half the costs although the expenses might be shared on a mutual agreement later on. The US has invested $3.3 million up to now but future costs are due to add up as the search mission continues.