Three others are currently en route, tweeted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which earlier said a total of seven military and five civilian aircraft will join Wednesday's search.

Shortly before, a Chinese IL-76 aircraft reached its target area. A Xinhua correspondent aboard the plane said the meteorologic conditions are complicated.

Meanwhile, Chinese icebreaker Xuelong has also arrived in the area where Chinese airborne searchers spotted some suspicious objects on Monday.