Major Ammunition Heist Hits Germany: 20,000 Rounds Missing

Sat Dec 20 2025 17:48:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant theft of military ammunition has occurred in Germany, with nearly 20,000 rounds stolen from a delivery lorry in Burg. Authorities launch an investigation amid rising security concerns.

German authorities are investigating a theft of approximately 20,000 rounds of ammunition, which was stolen from a civilian transport lorry in Burg while left unattended. The stolen items included live ammunition for pistols, blank rounds for assault rifles, and smoke grenades. Security concerns have been raised about the potential misuse of the missing ammunition. This incident highlights ongoing issues with military supplies in the region, raising questions about transport protocols.

A shipment of German ammunition has been stolen from a delivery lorry in the eastern town of Burg, the country's defence ministry has confirmed.

Officials from Germany's DPA news agency reported that while the exact quantity remains unspecified, the weekly news magazine Der Spiegel indicated that the amount taken is close to 20,000 rounds.

The theft is believed to have occurred after the driver for a civilian transport company, which is contracted by the military, left his truck unattended in an unsecured parking lot overnight on November 25. The next day, upon delivery at the nearby Clausewitz Barracks, it was discovered that the ammunition was missing. An investigation has been initiated by the army alongside local police.

According to reports from Der Spiegel and other German outlets, the shipment included 10,000 rounds of live ammunition for pistols, 9,900 rounds of blank bullets for assault rifles, and smoke grenades.

Authorities have not confirmed if there have been any arrests or if suspects have been identified in connection with this incident, which raises serious security concerns regarding who might obtain the stolen supplies. We take the theft very seriously - this kind of ammunition must not fall into the wrong hands, a spokesperson from the defence ministry told German media.

The investigation will particularly focus on why the driver chose to stop in an unsafe location. MDR, Germany's public broadcaster, has reported that a special hotline exists for drivers seeking assistance, and that the armed forces can provide escorts when needed.

Allegedly, the driver left the vehicle in an unsecured area and spent the night at a nearby hotel. This incident is part of a troubling trend in the Saxony-Anhalt region, with previous reported losses including 90 rounds of ammunition in Bernburg and 180 rounds in Eisleben, although no direct connections have been drawn between these instances.