20,000 Rounds of Bundeswehr Ammunition Stolen from Unsecured Truck in Major Security Breach
Ammunition theft has prompted a major police investigation after a staggering volume of military ordnance belonging to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) was taken from an unprotected transport vehicle operated by a civilian logistics company in the town of Burg. The incident occurred during the night of Tuesday, November 25, last week, when the delivery, which included thousands of live rounds, was left unattended in a trailer parked on a public lot in the Jerichower Land district. A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Defence confirmed to MDR SACHSEN-ANHALT that approximately 20,000 rounds of various types of ammunition had been stolen, verifying the exact number following specific inquiries made on Tuesday, as reported by NT24.
The initial report of the event first surfaced on the local online portal, Meeting Point Jerichower Land. According to statements provided by a representative from the Bundeswehr Support Command, the civilian truck driver was contracted to deliver the consignment directly to the Clausewitz Barracks in Burg. Due to an inability to complete the drop-off upon arrival, the driver made a spontaneous decision to find overnight accommodation at a nearby hotel, leaving the valuable and sensitive cargo exposed in the unmonitored parking area where the theft subsequently took place. The Bundeswehr clarified its existing security protocols, stating that a single driver is deemed sufficient for short-distance routes that do not necessitate overnight stays, but emphasized that distinct and much stricter regulations are enforced for the transport of materials falling under the War Weapons Control Act, such as anti-tank weapons, which mandate secured accompanying vehicles.
Serious questions remain regarding the transportation company's adherence to security guidelines, particularly why the driver failed to utilize the central Bundeswehr hotline designed for situations where civilian carriers are unable to successfully complete their scheduled delivery. This dedicated telephone service is specifically intended to provide secure alternative overnight parking locations and, when necessary, arrange for armed escort protection for sensitive materials. Prior reporting by Der Spiegel had already highlighted the suspected disregard for basic security requirements by the logistic company's employee involved in the incident. The significant theft was only discovered the following day upon the scheduled arrival of the vehicle at the main guard post of the Clausewitz Barracks. The detailed confirmation from the Bundeswehr specified the exact inventory missing: 10,000 live pistol cartridges, 9,900 rounds of combat ammunition (commonly known as blank cartridges) intended for use in assault rifle training exercises, and 15 pyrotechnic rounds used specifically for smoke generation. This security failure adds to a concerning history of ammunition losses within the region, following similar recent incidents in Saxony-Anhalt, including ammunition loss by the police in Bernburg in August, a comparable event in Eisleben shortly before that, and an incident reported last year concerning non-compliant destruction of weapons within police armories.
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