The US has conducted a missile test to demonstrate its “national nuclear capabilities” amid ongoing tensions with North Korea.

Military officials said the test involved the launch of intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Minuteman 3 rocket, which was carrying a non-explosive load, travelled 4,200 miles before landing at a test range in the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific.

Colonel Chris Moss, Vandenberg’s 30th Space Wing commander, said the test launch was “an important demonstration of our nation's nuclear deterrent capabilities”.

"These Minuteman launches are essential to verify the status of our national nuclear force and to demonstrate our national nuclear capabilities”, he said.

The move comes amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea’s decision to carry out a missile test led Donald Trump to threaten to take action against the communist state.

The US President said the North’s continued nuclear ambitions were a problem that “will be taken care of”.

If China was not able to resolve the issue “the US, with its allies, will”, he added.

The Republican later deployed what he called an “armada” of US Navy vessels to the region.

Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Show all 11 1 /11 Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The North Korean leader inspects a missile launch from a safe distance Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un discusses plans with military leaders Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch A ballistic rocket of the type launched by the DPRK in defiance of UN sanctions Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch UN officials tracked two ballistic missile launches from North Korea on Friday 18 March Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The Supreme Leader laughed with officials as the missiles were fired Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un was also pictured observing military exercises Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Tanks fire missiles during military manoeuvres at an undisclosed location Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The exercises are timed to coincide with military drills by the US and South Korea Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch As well as a tank-driving competition, amphibious craft carried out landing and anti-landing exercises Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Including paramilitary reserves, the North Korean army is the largest in the world Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The Supreme Leader appeared pleased with the show of force

“We are sending an armada, very powerful”, he told Fox News. “We have submarines, very powerful, far more powerful than the aircraft carrier.”

On Wednesday, the US military’s top commander in the Pacific said an advanced missile defence system being deployed in South Korea was designed to bring North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “to his senses”.

“With every test Kim grows closer to his goal, which is using nuclear weapons on US cities," said Admiral Harry Harris.

"As Trump and [US Defence Secretary James] Mattis have said, all options are on the table," he added.