BERLIN 

Germany plans to order more than 600 "Skyranger 30" air defense systems from Rheinmetall in a deal worth billions of euros, local media reported Friday.

Deliveries are scheduled for completion by 2030, with the total procurement value exceeding €9 billion ($10.4 billion), according to German Defense Ministry sources cited by the daily.

The procurement decision comes amid growing concerns over unauthorized drone activity and follows the government's pledge to modernize the Bundeswehr's air defense capabilities.

According to industry sources, Skyrangers effectively defend against drones and low-flying objects. The system's radar can detect larger military drones up to ten kilometers away and microdrones weighing up to 250 grams at distances of six kilometers.