An unmanned speedboat will be one of dozens of drones taking part in the Royal Navy's first "robot wars".

The craft, which was unveiled in London last week, will be one of 40 drones participating in Operation Unmanned Warrior off the west coast of Scotland next month.

It will be the first time drones have featured prominently in naval exercises held twice a year north of the border under the banner of Joint Warrior.

Admiral Sir Philip Jones, first sea lord and chief of naval staff, said: "The growing scale of Unmanned Warrior is a clear demonstration of the Royal Navy's ambition to lead and win through technological innovation.

"Unmanned maritime systems will change how we operate, but they're just the start.

"Our pursuit of new technologies and ideas - from big data to 3D-printing - will ensure we remain one of the most capable and successful navies in the world."

The unmanned speedboat, known as the Maritime Autonomy Surface Testbed (Mast), has been developed to carry out spying missions and can steer itself at high speeds.

Fleet robotics officer, commander Peter Pipkin, said: "This is a chance to take a great leap forward in Maritime Systems - not to take people out of the loop but to enhance everything they do, to extend our reach, our look, our timescales, our efficiency using intelligent and manageable robotics at sea."

The UK's use of unmanned drones has proven controversial and serious concerns were raised after two British citizens was killed in Syria without parliamentary approval last year.

Abul Rakib Amin, who grew up in Aberdeen, was killed along with Cardiff-born Reyaad Khan in Raqqa on August 21.

Unmanned Warrior will be carried out during the first two weeks of October.