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Germany Investigates Theft of About 20,000 Rounds from Parked Contractor Trailer

The German Defense Ministry says about 20,000 rounds of ammunition were stolen from a civilian contractor's parked trailer between November 24–25 and were discovered missing on November 28. Military investigators and local police are probing the theft, and officials warn the ammunition must not reach unauthorized hands. The incident comes as Germany moves to expand the Bundeswehr and while the country supplies significant ammunition to Ukraine. No suspects or recovery details have been released.

09:06 AM, 12/03/2025Security
Germany Investigates Theft of About 20,000 Rounds from Parked Contractor Trailer

The German Defense Ministry confirmed that a shipment of roughly 20,000 rounds of ammunition destined for the armed forces was stolen from a civilian contractor's trailer while the vehicle was parked overnight between November 24 and 25. The loss was discovered on November 28, and officials say the type of ammunition must not fall into the wrong hands.

A Defense Ministry spokesperson said investigators from the military are working with local police to determine how the shipment went missing and to locate the stolen rounds. No suspects or details about the specific type of ammunition have been publicly disclosed.

“This kind of ammunition must not fall into the wrong hands,” the ministry spokesperson said, adding that authorities are treating the incident very seriously.

Smaller ammunition losses have been reported in Germany earlier this year, including an August case in which roughly 90 rounds were reported missing from a police facility in Saxony-Anhalt. Officials emphasize that last week's theft is far larger in scale.

Wider context

The theft arrives as Germany is taking steps to strengthen its military after years of limited investment and public sensitivity about armed forces. A government proposal introduced shortly before the incident aims to expand the Bundeswehr to about 260,000 active soldiers (up from roughly 180,000) and to add 200,000 reservists by 2035.

Germany also remains a major supplier of ammunition to Ukraine. In late August, a German defense manufacturer opened what it described as one of Europe’s largest ammunition production facilities to meet growing demand.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing. Officials have not published more details on how the theft occurred or whether any of the missing ammunition has been recovered.

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Germany Investigates Theft of About 20,000 Rounds from Parked Contractor Trailer - CRBC News