United States Navy marine mammal experts train a sea lion in Italy on November 24.

Gliding through the water to locate mines, handcuff terrorists and take part in surveillance these amazing animals are the real Navy Seals.

Incredible pictures capture one of the latest military demonstrations showing how sea lions and other marine mammals are being trained and used in modern warfare - just like combat dogs on land.

Cute Gremlin the Californian sea lion showcased his incredible skills at a US Navy demonstration watched by officials at the NATO underwater research centre in the bay at La Spezia, Italy.

Handlers from the US Navy’s Space and Naval Warfae Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific), based in San Diego, CA., took the highly-trained animal into the water to show what the slippery swimmer can do.

The animals are chosen because of their tolerance to cold, low light underwater vision, and ability to dive deep without getting the bends.