Buenos Aires: Military ships and aircraft have been dispatched to the coast of Argentina for a navy submarine missing for two days, officials said.

The vessel, which was patrolling off Patagonia with 44 crew members, last made radio contact on Wednesday, Captain Enrique Balbi, a spokesman for the Argentinian navy, said in a television interview.

Two planes were deployed on Thursday afternoon, local time, to begin searching for the submarine, ARA San Juan, one of three in Argentina's fleet. Rescuers were hindered by poor visibility and they resumed the search on Friday morning using vessels as well as aircraft.

The submarine's last known location was 240 nautical miles off the coast, according to the navy.