German authorities are investigating a significant security breach after approximately 20,000 rounds of military ammunition were stolen from a delivery truck in the eastern town of Burg. The theft occurred on November 25th when a civilian transport driver contracted by Germany’s Bundeswehr left his vehicle unattended in an unguarded parking lot overnight.
According to defense ministry officials speaking to DPA news agency, the missing shipment included 10,000 rounds of live pistol ammunition, 9,900 blank assault rifle cartridges, and smoke grenades. The discovery was made the following day when the truck arrived at its destination, the Clausewitz Barracks, with the cargo compartment compromised.
The incident has raised serious security concerns within German defense circles about the potential misuse of the stolen materials. ‘We take the theft very seriously – this kind of ammunition must not fall into the wrong hands,’ a defense ministry representative told German media outlets.
An ongoing joint investigation between military police and civilian authorities is examining why the driver failed to utilize available security protocols. Public broadcaster MDR reported that specialized hotlines and military escorts were available to transport personnel but apparently not utilized in this case. The driver reportedly parked the vehicle in an unsecured area and spent the night at a nearby hotel.
This marks the third such incident in Saxony-Anhalt region within recent months. In August, Bernburg police reported 90 missing ammunition rounds, followed by another 180 rounds disappearing in Eisleben weeks later. While no direct connections have been established between these cases, the pattern has prompted reviews of military material transport procedures.
Defense officials have not confirmed any arrests or identified suspects in connection with the Burg theft, leaving open questions about who may have acquired the military-grade materials and for what purpose.