South Australian defence company Silentium Defence is expanding its global export reach through partnerships helping its locally developed passive radar technology reach international defence and security markets.

Headquartered in Adelaide, Silentium Defence develops and manufactures rapidly deployable passive radar and low-signature sensing systems that detect and track objects across sea, land, air and space.

In 10 years, the company has grown from two co-founders to more than 130 highly skilled staff across three facilities, with ambitions to expand to more than 200 high-tech jobs in the next 12 months.

Silentium Defence recently used a networking event held as part of Saab Australia’s Global Export Opportunity Program to highlight how collaboration between industry and government can help Australian-developed technologies access international markets.

The Global Export Opportunity Program, supported by the Australian Government’s Global Supply Chain Program, connects Australian businesses with global defence supply chains, prime contractors and international customers.

Through the program, Silentium Defence has been able to showcase its flagship MAVERICK M8 passive radar and support integration discussions in regions where counter-UAS, ground-based air defence and persistent sensing are priority capability areas.

The MAVERICK M8 is backpack-portable, has low size, weight and power, and can be operational in under 10 minutes.

Unlike conventional active radars, Silentium Defence’s systems do not transmit their own signals. They use existing radio frequency energy in the environment, such as broadcast signals, to detect and track objects, making them harder to detect and target.

Silentium Defence Global Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Dr James Palmer said initiatives that connect Australian companies with international opportunities play an important role in supporting export growth.

“Silentium Defence has developed world-class passive radar technology in South Australia, and global customers are recognising what our systems can deliver,” Dr Palmer said.

“Collaborations like the Global Export Opportunity Program matter because they help Australian technology companies move from interest to access. They connect us with global defence supply chains, prime contractors and end users looking for advanced capability that genuinely meets their needs.

“For Silentium Defence, this is about building on our export success, strengthening our partnerships and helping Australian-developed passive radar reach more allied defence and security customers.”

Saab Australia Managing Director Andy Keough CSC said the partnership connected Australian innovation with international opportunities.

“This is a strong example of how the Global Supply Chain Program helps connect Australian innovation with opportunities in international markets,” Mr Keough said.

“Australian innovation is at its strongest when companies work together. Partnerships like this help build capability, support local industry, and create opportunities for future growth.”

Silentium Defence has recently partnered with Saab to export its South Australian-developed radar technology to European customers. It is also continuing to expand its presence in the United States and United Kingdom, strengthening its ability to support allied defence priorities and optimise opportunities emerging through AUKUS.

The company’s export growth has also been supported through the South Australian Government’s Global Expansion Program.

Silentium Defence received a Global Expansion Program grant in 2025 to strengthen its export capability and support international growth. Since receiving the grant, the company has increased its exports to the United States and United Kingdom and expanded into the European Union as it transitions from specialist research and development into export sales, production delivery and support, and global customer adoption.

The $2 million Global Expansion Program, delivered through the Department of State Development, provides grants of up to $50,000 to help high-growth businesses navigate global trade. It has supported more than 60 local companies to grow their exports and become the state’s next global leaders.

Applications for the South Australian Government’s Global Expansion Program are now open.

For more information or to apply, visit statedevelopment.sa.gov.au