NEW DELHI: India today deployed two of its frontline surveillance aircraft in Kuala Lumpur to take part in the international search for the missing Malaysian airliner in the South Indian Ocean region.
“A C-130J Super Hercules of the Indian Air Force and a long range maritime surveillance aircraft P-8I of the Navy have been dispatched to Kuala Lumpur to augment the search and rescue operations there,” a Defense Ministry release said.
Stating that India has pledged its full support to the Malaysian government in the search operations, it said the Indian crew was being briefed by Malaysian authorities.
“Once the search areas are indicated, these aircraft will commence the operations from tomorrow. HQ Integrated Defense Staff is in touch with Indian Defense Attaché in Malaysia and coordinating the operations that are likely to continue for some time,” it said.
India has so far deployed six warships and five maritime surveillance aircraft to locate the missing airliner with 239 passengers on board.
The assets deployed for the search operations include INS Saryu, INS Kumbhir and INS Kesari from the Navy, and ICGS Kanaklata Barua and ICGS Bhikaji Cama of the Coast Guards.
The Navy had deployed two of its P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft from INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu for locating the missing plane along with its Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft.
The IAF has also pressed into action its C-130J Super Hercules Special Operations aircraft fitted with modern surveillance capabilities to find the plane.–PTI
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