Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Friday that a new analysis of radar data has yielded a fresh lead on the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, resulting in a shift in the search area in the southern Indian Ocean.

"I have been briefed on new analysis of radar data on the flight path of MH370 and the consequent shift in the search area announced by AMSA today," Abbott said in a statement.

"This is a credible new lead and will be thoroughly investigated today. Ten aircraft, six vessels and satellites will focus on the new search area," he added.