Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 25, 2019

This picture taken on October 31, 2024 shows a test-fire of the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), at an undisclosed location in North Korea

Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former head of Britain’s nuclear defence force, said rogue states like North Korea and Iran were a major security threat, and feared Labour didn’t have the ‘balls’ to tackle the countries’ key ally, Putin

‘Russia is spending 40 per cent of its national income on defence and we can’t even manage 2.5 per cent.

‘This is the time we should be giving Putin good kicking and allowing Storm Shadow and other bits of kit to attack him.’

The Army chief also disturbingly claimed the Kremlin may have traded nuclear secrets with Pyongyang in return for 10,000 troops and ammunition to continue Putin’s bloody invasion of Ukraine.

His bleak claims come amid a plea today by the former deputy commander of the RAF to re-equip Britain’s air force with tactical nuclear missiles in a show of force to Moscow.

It follows North Korea’s longest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test last week, something Col de Bretton-Gordon feared was only possible thanks to Russian tech.

The retired military commander, who served 23 years in the Army and headed up the UK’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Regiment – said that a year ago North Korea couldn’t fire an ICBM 1,000km.

However, in the most recent test, the secretive state was able to fire a missile at sharply-raised angle and reached as high as 7,000km (4,350 miles). This means that it would have covered a further distance if it were launched horizontally.

‘If you look at how far they have progressed they couldn’t have done it on their own. This is very clearly a return for the million rounds of ammunition, missiles and 10,000 troops it has provided Russia,’ the Colonel told MailOnline.

Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon added Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves must increase defence spending and increase the UK’s nuclear arsenal

The Army chief also disturbingly claimed the Kremlin may have traded nuclear secrets with Pyongyang in return for 10,000 troops and ammunition to continue Putin’s bloody invasion of Ukraine

He urged a tougher stance on the threat posed by Putin – but was concerned over the Labour Government’s ability to do so.

He added: ‘When you look at the Budget and look at Reeves and all the people advising her, none of them have run a company or a business. Most are from the public service. Most don’t understand the impact a national insurance rises could have on an employer.

‘In a similar vein, I look at the MoD; John Healey, the Defence Secretary, strikes me as a good guy but of the SPADs (special advisors) around him, not a single one has a military background. I worry that they’re making tactical decisions when they should be making strategic decisions.

‘Do they have the balls to do it? I don’t think they have the experience, background or advisors. It’s a concern.’

Britain has so far barred Ukraine from striking the Kremlin forces in Russia with its Storm Shadow missiles amid fears Britain would be dragged into a full-scale war.

Meanwhile, Putin continues to ramp up his military at home – while forging closer ties with fellow despot Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader.

Putin has already recruited some 10,000 troops from North Korea to fight in the front lines of his war against Ukraine.

While in the Middle East, Iran and Israel are on the brink of war, with missiles exchanged between the two countries in recent weeks.

And as the global situation deteriorates, former RAF chief Air Marshal Greg Bagwell urged Whitehall to consider bolstering its nuclear deterrent.

The Royal Navy is in charge of Britain’s nuclear arsenal, with the Senior Service’s nuclear submarine fleet providing a constant, at-sea defence.

Defence Secretary John Healy (centre) is greeted by Cadet Corporal Razwan Ciochan, 17 (left) and Cadet Lance Corporal Ciara MacNeill, 17 (right), of 197 Feltham, before making poppies with other cadets and making a wreath with veterans

In this photo provided by the North Korean government, combatants take part in a training at a training base of the special operation units of the Korean People’s Army in the western area, North Korea, on Oct. 2, 2024

However, Air Marshal Bagwell has urged the MoD to consider equipping the RAF with lower-yield, tactical nuclear weapons that can be fitted future stealth jets.

The RAF was previously in charge of the deterrent during the Cold War as part of its V Force bomber unit, which was tasked with delivering nuclear Armageddon anywhere in the world.

‘As someone who spent the 80s and 90s providing a part of the UK’s nuclear airborne deterrent against the Soviet Union, I know first-hand what it was like to live through the stark realities of the Cold War,’ Air Marshal Bagwell told MailOnline.

‘We face a very different threat today, one without the same rules and understanding, but one that is far more volatile and just as dangerous.

‘Putin has demonstrated that he is more than willing to flaunt international rules and law, and he is cavalier in his attitude to using the threat of nuclear weapon use.

‘Weapons that Russia has in abundance, including a large tactical arsenal able to be used on the battlefield. Understandably, the threat of their use has, at times, paralysed, or at best delayed, vital assistance to Ukraine.

‘So, we need to rethink what that means for how we deter Russia from acting against NATO and her allies in the future.’

Air Marshal Bagwell praised the Royal Navy’s ‘magnificent’ Vanguard submarines for providing the at-sea deterrence following the retirement of the RAF’s role in the force.

But he raised concerns about the limits and nature of the underwater boats carrying the Britain’s ultimate weapons, and appealed for any future defence review to look at this.

‘We have seen how fragile that capability can be, with test firing failures, crew shortages, longer patrols and even a recent fire at our single manufacturing facility for its Dreadnought replacement,’ he said.

Air Marshal Bagwell has urged the MoD to consider equipping the RAF with lower-yield, tactical nuclear weapons that can be fitted future stealth jets (pictured is an F-35 stealth jet)

A man walks past a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a train station in Seoul on October 31, 2024

Russian Yars mobile missile launchers deployed for combat patrols in Novosibirsk Region in Russia in undated footage

The military chief urged the UK to diversify it nuclear weapon capabilities to create a more ‘diverse and multi-faceted’ response to potential aggressors.

He pointed towards allies like the US, which maintains a ‘triad’ of nuclear weapons – from silos and submarines capable of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles, to high altitude stealth bombers like the B-2 stealth bomber.

‘The more diverse and multi-faceted we make our response options, the harder we make the calculus for a potential foe,’ he said.

The Air Marshal continued: ‘Whilst, I am a staunch believer – despite the huge costs to the defence budget of its replacement – in the continuous at sea deterrence as our ultimate insurance policy, this defence review may be an opportunity to ask if that is robust or flexible enough to meet the evolving threats.

‘There are options to restore our airborne capability, either through the already cleared, and US-supplied F35A and B61bomb combination, or perhaps seek our own sovereign or European solution with a UK or French weapon on our future aircraft the Tempest.

‘At the very least we need to have a conversation about a threat that some might have thought diminished after the Cold War, but is still very much a growing concern.’

Defence experts say Russia could have as many as 1,500 tactical nuclear weapons – although Col de Bretton-Gordon said it was unlikely they would be used against the UK.

He added: ‘Let’s not get overly excited about Russia. I don’t think they can use it. But a rogue state like North Korea could create absolute mayhem with a couple of ICBMs and warheads.

‘People in this country might not be bothered. But we should be bothered.

UK Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns, MP watches cadets during their helicopter rigging challenge, on October 29, 2024 in Salisbury

‘The UN led by António Guterres is a complete paper tiger and should be the ones leading the way. And the American’s barely look beyond their own borders. This is something our government and European countries should be shouting about.’

Defence Secretary John Healey has insisted Britain’s defences are up to scratch.

Defending the Chancellor’s Budget in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Healey added: ‘Stability. Investment. Reform. A new chapter for Britain. With this budget we will start to fix the foundations to strengthen our Armed Forces – in a time of increasing global threats.’

In a statement, an MoD spokeswoman told MailOnline: ‘The additional £2.9 billion set out in the budget for defence will help start to fix the foundations of our Armed Forces.’

Speaking of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, the MoD official added: ‘The Royal Navy has delivered the UK’s continuous at sea deterrent without fail for the last 55 years.

‘The Government’s commitment to the nuclear deterrence is total. This includes a “triple-lock” commitment to the UK’s nuclear programme.’