Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen conveyed Singapore's sympathies and offered additional assistance to the Malaysian government to assist in the search-and-locate (SAL) operation for the missing Beijing-bound Malaysia Airlines plane (MH370). A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 aircraft took off at 12 noon earlier today to assist in the SAL coordinated among the RSAF, Singapore Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

In a phone interview with Channel NewsAsia this evening, Dr Ng said, "When I heard the news of the missing MAS MH370 earlier today, my sympathies immediately went to the families and loved ones of passengers on board, especially of our Malaysian neighbours. MINDEF immediately set in plans efforts to assist in the search and locating efforts to offer to the Malaysian Government." Dr Ng added that, "I have just spoken with my counterpart Defence Minister Hishammuddin and asked him what else we can do to help. We had already mobilised our RSAF C-130 which is at the location to look for the missing aircraft. I further offered the assistance of our submarine support and rescue vessel. We have a vessel which is equipped to perform underwater search and can assist in the search and locate operations. It also has divers on the vessel. Defence Minister Hishammuddin accepted this offer and both the Singaporean and Malaysian Chiefs of Navy have spoken to coordinate the details and to deploy this vessel for the search and locating effort. I also offered the Malaysian Defence Minister any further assistance that the SAF could give in this difficult period."

Earlier today, both the Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng and the Chief of Air Force Major-General Hoo Cher Mou spoke with their counterparts, the Royal Malaysian Navy Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Bin Haji Jaafar and the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force General Tan Sri Dato Sri Rodzali Bin Daud to coordinate the details of the SAF's assistance and offer additional assistance if required.