Ships and aircraft designed for war have become key tools in conducting reconnaissance missions in remote areas of Indonesia and India, and bringing in desperately needed food, water and medicine.

At the same time, soldiers, marines and sailors have been putting logistical know-how to work to make sure supplies are spread around and that bottlenecks in ports and airports do not bring efforts to a halt.

The US and Australian defence forces have been especially prominent in the aid effort, spearheading emergency operations in Indonesia's northern Aceh province in Sumatra, the worst-hit area which can only be accessed by air.

Most of Indonesia 94,000 dead were in the province. The total death toll for all 12 countries hit is estimated at around 150,000.

Two US navy battle groups, led by an aircraft carrier and a Marine helicopter carrier, are in the Indian Ocean, with their helicopters proving a valuable asset in Indonesia -- and a PR coup for Washington, which is being seen to help the world's most populous Muslim nation.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Jakarta Tuesday: "I think it does give to the Muslim world and the rest of the world an opportunity to see American generosity, American values in action."

He added: "I hope as a result of our efforts, as a result of our helicopter pilots being seen by the citizens of Indonesia helping them, that value system of ours will be reinforced."

Australia, which is reportedly considering an aid reconstruction package worth 385 million US dollars for Indonesia, has deployed a ship with helicopters and engineers, and a field hospital.

French, British and Italian military personnel have been working in devastated Sri Lanka, while India has been turning away outside help to deploy its army, navy and coastguard along its ravaged southern coast and has sent planes and ships to search for survivors in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelagos.

Thailand has mobilised several warships, aircraft and vehicles and nearly 8,000 service personnel, adding to the 20,000 police and 20,000 civilians involved in relief efforts in its southern region.

Japan -- which has topped global aid pledged so far with a 500-million-dollar package -- on Tuesday put its military on standby to help with efforts and dispatched an advance team of 20 to Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Three of its navy vessels have already been involved in rescue work in Thailand.

Tensions in parts of Asia have precluded military aid in some cases.

Even though junta-ruled Myanmar is estimated to have lost hundreds of fishermen, no outside military help has been let into the country. Aid efforts there have been left to UN agencies and the International Federation of the Red Cross.

China, whose own military strength is feared by many countries, has kept its contribution to an aid pledge of 60.5 million dollars.

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