New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI): India on Friday 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 defence 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 defence staff is in touch with Indian defence attache at 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.

Pentagon spends $2.5 million

Washington, Mar 21 (PTI): The Pentagon says it has spent $2.5 million to help in the search for the missing Malaysian Airlines jet.

The defense department has been flying high-tech surveillance planes to assist in the effort. The spending also includes operating costs for ships that have assisted in the search, which has stretched across the South China Sea and into the Indian Ocean.

A Navy P-8 Poseidon plane has been searching the Indian Ocean region where satellite imagery showed objects that may be from the plane. A P-3 Orion did not fly Friday but is expected to rejoin the search Saturday.

A Pentagon spokesman says $4 million has been budgeted, and that amount could last into early April depending on the number of flying hours and whether other equipment is needed.