The Royal Navy has made a squadron formed entirely of autonomous boats officially part of the fleet for the first time.
The ceremony for the commissioning of the 1st Autonomous Squadron took place at HMNB Portsmouth, featuring a demonstration of the Kraken K3 Scout boats.
Senior officers say the new capability will help defend the UK against rapidly changing threats, as the Navy strives to create a fleet of both manned and unmanned vessels.
Capt Adam Ballard, deputy commander of the surface flotilla said: "This is about a Navy that is truly hybrid, and so you take the benefits of both types - the amazing capability and flexibility of these systems along with a carrier strike group." He added: "It's a really, really potent fighting force."
The uncrewed remotely-operated boats can be used for surveillance, force protection, and precision strikes, and will work alongside manned warships and helicopters.
This means they can carry cameras and radar for surveillance and be fitted with weapons.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3vqqe5znwgo
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