Missing Malaysia Airlines plane flew low to avoid radar detection: report

Meanwhile, the number of countries involved in the search and rescue operation has increased from 14 to 25.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott today said his country will lead a search of the remote southern Indian Ocean for the missing plane.

Asked if Australian agencies had any data to back up the theory of mising plane's presence in the southern Indian Ocean, Abbott said he didn't have any information.

"But all of our agencies that could possibly help in this area are scouring their data to see if there's anything that they can add to the understanding of this mystery," he said.

Australia had two AP-3C Orion surveillance planes assisting with the search, now in its second week.

"One of our Orions as I understand it has been redeployed to the Indian Ocean search,"Abbott said.

"We've got two Orions which have been assisting with the search. They remain available to assist in whatever way the Malaysian authorities wish and it's my intention to talk later today with the Malaysians to see if there's additional help that Australia can offer."

There were six Australians and two New Zealanders on the missing jet.