US start-up Foundation discusses supplying up to 1,000 humanoid robots to Israel's army

Foundation Future Industries, a US start-up that makes humanoid robots and is backed by Eric Trump, is in talks with the Israeli military to supply up to 1,000 robots for use in Gaza's tunnels, possibly including combat, the Financial Times reports. Co-founder and president Mike LeBlanc told the paper he held first meetings with senior Israeli military officials in September.

LeBlanc visited tunnels in Gaza at that time with the company's Phantom MK1 robot and said the company is talking directly with Israel's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir. The Telegraph puts the price of one robot at about $150,000, which would make 1,000 robots worth up to $150 million.

According to LeBlanc, the robots are fully autonomous and can find booby traps and deal with explosive devices. Two Phantom MK1 robots were sent to Ukraine in February 2026 to test reconnaissance and supply work at the front, the Telegraph reported. Foundation says the Phantom is designed for both defensive and offensive uses.

Stacie Pettyjohn, director of the defence programme at the Center for a New American Security, told the FT that the international debate on whether to allow such robots has not been settled.