The UK has sent military aircraft to help verify the strength of a nuclear bomb tested by North Korea, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.
The secretive Communist country carried out a huge underground nuclear test on Monday which attracted international condemnation.
Examinations are now being undertaken by the international community in the area to determine the full strength of the blast and the type of nuclear material used.
The MoD confirmed that a VC10 tanker plane had been sent to Japan to help assist with these verification tests.
The VC10 is typically used for aerial refuelling.
Following the underground test the rogue state ratcheted up international tension by firing two short-range missiles off an east-coast base.
The state, lead by Kim Jong-il, then added to the alarm by announcing they were scrapping the treaty that halted the Korean War more than 50 years ago.
An MoD spokesman said: "Following the recent events in North Korea and to support the international community's efforts during this time of increased political tension, we can confirm that the UK is supporting in the associated verification efforts by deploying a VC10 aircraft to Kadena airforce base in Japan.
"The primary role of the VC10 is as an air-to-air refuelling aircraft."
