Foundation says it is in talks to supply humanoid robots to Israel's military

Nov 13, 2026
The Eric Trump-backed startup says it is talking to the IDF about up to 1,000 Phantom MK1 robots for Gaza tunnels; no deal has been announced.

Foundation Future Industries, a San Francisco humanoid robot startup that counts Eric Trump as an investor and adviser, says it is in direct talks with the Israel Defense Forces about supplying its Phantom MK1 robots for use in Hamas tunnels under Gaza, IBTimes reports, citing the Financial Times.

"We're in direct talks with the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces," co-founder and president Mike LeBlanc told the FT. The Telegraph reported that the talks concern up to 1,000 robots at about $150,000 each, though no purchase agreement has been announced and the deal is not final. The company says the robots could neutralise booby traps, detect trip wires, breach doors and potentially engage in combat. LeBlanc denied the company was building a "Terminator."

Eric Trump holds a stake in Foundation and was named its chief strategic adviser in March. A spokesman told the FT he never introduced the company to any government agency and took no part in contract negotiations. LeBlanc says the two-year-old company has already received more than $70 million in US military contracts.

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