Germany plans to install advanced missile defense systems on three new government jets used by its top leaders, according to a report from Spiegel on Friday.

The German Defense Ministry is expected to present the contract for approval to the parliamentary budget committee by the end of the year, though the report did not specify its sources.

The jets, Airbus A350s primarily used by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, will be equipped with infrared defense systems. These systems, mounted on the fuselage, use laser pulses to disable the seeker heads of incoming missiles, Spiegel reported.

The last of the three aircraft was delivered to the German military in June. The Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the report or disclosed how other government jets are currently protected from missile threats.

The missile defense system to be installed in the A350s is a collaboration between Israeli company Elbit and German aircraft parts supplier Diehl, according to Spiegel. The technology is already in use on many military transport planes. The installation will be phased to ensure at least some of the government jets remain operational throughout the upgrade process. Photo by Kentaro Iemoto from Tokyo, Japan, Wikimedia commons.