Royal Navy receives £75 million investment in robotic technology

The government has announced a £75 million investment in robotic technology for the Royal Navy.

On a visit to Portsmouth (01/04) the defence secretary Gavin Williamson said the money would fund the development of two new autonomous mine hunter vessels.

  • Watch this report by Richard Jones:

A flying man was the most eye-catching display at the exhibition of the robots, drones, and unmanned vehicles of the future.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was shown some of them just after he'd announced a £75 million investment which will help develop two new autonomous mine-hunter vessels for the navy.

He's says the idea is to help sailors do their jobs not to replace them.

  • Gavin Williamson, Defence Secretary

The navy's divers are already trialling underwater robots to detect and survey mines. They hope that in the future they'll also be able to destroy them.

The number of people at the event shows just how big this industry is and how much it could grow in the future.

The navy's divers are already trialling underwater robots to detect and survey mines Credit: ITV Meridian

Thousands are already employed developing this technology and there could be many more.

But are there enough people with the right skills?

Thousands are already employed developing this technology Credit: ITV Meridian

As for the flying man, his jet suit is already on sale to the public.

The price: £340,000!

There's no military application yet, but watch this space.