KUALA LUMPUR: The United States dispatched two of its navy ships to assist in the search of flight MH370 which was reported missing on Saturday.
The US embassy said in a statement that following a request from the Malaysian Government, the US navy had dispatched the USS Pinckney (DDG 91) and the USNS John Ericsson to assist in the operation.
"We managed to send in our DDG 91, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, to the scene and arrived this afternoon to assist in the search of the area.
"The DDG 91 carries two MH-60R helicopters that can be equipped for search and rescue missions," said the statement.
It said the USNS John Ericsson, a replenishment oilier operated by the Military Sealift Command, had sailed out from Singapore this morning to support the search and rescue efforts.
In addition to both the ships, a US Navy P-3C Orion aircraft that carries long-range search, radar and communications capabilities had departed from the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan this morning and had begun to search the area, it said.
The Australian government will be sending two maritime surveillance patrol aircraft to assist in the search.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott made the offer in a telephone call at noon today.
He said the aircraft were expected to depart Australia late this evening and will arrive at a site determined by the Malaysian authorities, such as the Civil Aviation Department and Navy.
"I accepted the offer and thanked the Australian Prime Minister.
"I believe the contribution will help us in our search for the missing plane," he told reporters after opening the 2014 National Unity Programme here today.
Abbott also expressed the sympathy of the Australian government over the missing Malaysia Airlines aircraft.
Six of the 227 passengers onboard MH370 were Australians. The plane, which 12 crew on board, was en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur when it disappeared from radar at 1.30am Saturday. - Bernama
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