A serious security breach occurred last week when a shipment of ammunition destined for the German armed forces was stolen from a contractor’s truck. An army spokesman confirmed to AFP that the ammunition was taken from the trailer of a civilian carrier’s vehicle, which had been parked overnight.
Reports from German media indicate that the incident took place outside a hotel near the eastern city of Magdeburg, where a total of around 20,000 rounds of ammunition were stolen. Initial assessments revealed that the missing items included approximately 10,000 rounds of combat ammunition for pistols, nearly 9,900 rounds of blank maneuver ammunition for assault rifles, as well as so-called smoke ammunition.
According to the news weekly Der Spiegel, the truck driver made the decision to spend the night in the hotel in Burg, which was not part of the original plan. The absence of the ammunition was discovered during the subsequent delivery to the designated barracks, prompting an immediate response from the armed forces.
“The theft was immediately reported to the relevant security and investigative authorities. We take this incident very seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation,” stated the army spokesman.
A police spokeswoman from the nearby town of Stendal confirmed that an investigation has been initiated, although no additional details were disclosed. Sources within the armed forces suggested that the incident may not have been a random act, with concerns that the ammunition shipment was being closely monitored by the perpetrators, who likely took advantage of the driver’s unplanned stop.
Further complicating matters, the contractor involved violated safety protocols by allowing the cargo to be operated by a single driver rather than the two that are typically required for such operations.
In the context of heightened tensions and a renewed focus on military readiness, Germany is taking steps to revitalize its armed forces in response to challenges posed by an emboldened Russia. Last week, the government approved a substantial budget aimed at defense spending for 2026, and the ruling coalition has also agreed to a new military service model designed to attract more recruits to the Bundeswehr.
