Special Report: Australia's Silentium expands to US to support C-UAS, space missions

Silentium's new headquarters in North Carolina aims to support US defence programmes and customers. (Silentium Defence )

Australian firm Silentium Defence has opened its US headquarters in Apex, North Carolina, to support US customers and partners in counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS), integrated air and missile defence, and space domain awareness missions.

Silentium's CEO for North AmericaMatthew Ratnesar told Janes that the company opened the headquarters to be closer to US defence customers and provide a local presence to support US defence programmes.

Producing systems locally in the US would also help mitigate issues related to tariffs, taxes, shipping delays and customs processes, he said, adding that it would also significantly reduce delivery timelines, allowing customers to receive capabilities more quickly.

Ratnesar expects to establish a manufacturing capability in the US within the next 12–18 months as business volumes increase.

“There is a growing trend towards a US-secured supply chain,” Ratnesar said, adding that US defence contractors increasingly value local manufacturing and a US-based workforce.

The broader geopolitical environment, including concerns about supply chain resilience and competition with China, is reinforcing the desire to manufacture defence products domestically, he said.

According to Silentium's global CEO James Palmer, the company has long aimed to provide passive radar capabilities to a broad range of end-users outside Australia.

He told Janes that Silentium had pursued an export-focused strategy from the outset, with the aim of making its technology available to customers worldwide. Palmer described the company's expansion into the US as a realisation of this strategy.

Silentium's North Carolina facility covers nearly 10,000 sq ft and can accommodate about 50 personnel, including programme managers, sales staff, technicians, and support teams, Ratnesar said.