SINGAPORE, March 9 -- The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has deployed more assets to assist in the search-and-locate operation for the missing Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plane.

SAF sent two more Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 aircraft, a Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Formidable-class frigate (RSS Steadfast) with a Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopter onboard, a submarine support and rescue vessel with divers onboard, as well as a Missile Corvette (RSS Vigour).

The Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) said on Sunday that this followed Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen's offer of additional assistance to Malaysian acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on Saturday.

MINDEF also said the first RSAF C-130 deployed on Saturday returned to Singapore on Saturday night.