The U.S. Patriot missile defense system has been praised by Kyiv and credited with intercepting next-generation Russian weapons.

The U.S. Army has decided to back off an effort to replace its Patriot missile with a next-generation interceptor, according to Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, program executive officer for missiles and space.

The U.S. Army is no longer pursuing a new interceptor for its Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. The disclosure as the service has also said it wants to reduce reliance on the highly in demand and heavily strained Patriot force and look more at tailored air defense force packages leveraging its Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) network.

The former head of the British Army, General Sir Mike Jackson, has died aged 80, the army confirmed. He led the army during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 after serving in the Balkans and Northern Ireland.

General Sir Mike Jackson, who has died aged 80, was Chief of the General Staff from 2003 until 2006, having come to prominence as the formidable commander of Nato peace-keeping troops in the former Yugoslavia.

General Sir Mike Jackson has died aged 80, the British Army said. Sir Mike, a former chief of the general staff and head of the Army, died on Tuesday surrounded by his family. The father-of-three led the Army during the allied invasion of Iraq in 2003 after serving in Northern Ireland and Bosnia.