Foundation Future Industries negotiates sale of 1,000 humanoid robots to Israeli military

Foundation Future Industries is negotiating the sale of up to 1,000 humanoid robots to the Israeli military for use in Gaza tunnels. The US-based startup is in discussions to supply its Phantom MK1 model to assist in high-risk environments. The potential deal could reach a total value of 150 million US dollars, with each individual robot estimated to cost 150,000 US dollars.

Negotiations and field testing

Mike Loblan, the co-founder and CEO of Foundation Future Industries, is currently in direct negotiations with Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir regarding the potential supply of the robots. These discussions follow preliminary meetings held in September 2025, during which Mike Loblan visited tunnels in Gaza accompanied by a Phantom MK1 robot. The robots are designed for autonomous tasks, specifically to detect and neutralize explosive traps, which aims to reduce physical risks to soldiers.

The Phantom MK1 is designed for both defensive and offensive applications. The technology has undergone testing with various weapons, including M16s, rifles, and pistols. In February 2026, the company deployed two Phantom MK1 robots to Ukraine to test their capabilities in reconnaissance, logistics, and supply delivery. Mike Loblan stated that the company aims to develop a robot capable of using any weapon a human can use.

Company funding and strategic advisors

Foundation Future Industries has secured significant financial backing and government contracts. The company and an acquired entity have obtained US military contracts and funding exceeding 70 million US dollars. This includes a Department of Defense contract that was signed after Eric Trump joined the company as a key strategic advisor in March 2025. Eric Trump also serves as an investor in the startup.

Following the investment by Eric Trump, a spokesperson for Donald Trump stated that the President has no role in the management, operations, strategic decisions, or business activities of the company. However, the company's connections to the Trump family have drawn scrutiny from political figures. US Senator Elizabeth Warren stated that obtaining government contracts by companies linked to the Trump family raises suspicions of corruption.

Operational context and military use

The negotiations for the humanoid robots occur following the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in October 2023. The deployment of such technology is intended to address the complexities of tunnel warfare. Since October 2023, 80% of the tunnels built by Hamas in Israeli-controlled areas have been destroyed.

The use of the Phantom MK1 robots represents a shift toward using autonomous systems to mitigate human casualties during urban combat and tunnel clearance. As negotiations continue with Israeli military leadership, the scale of the potential deployment remains tied to the finalization of the contract for the 1,000 units.

Glossary

• Hamas — Hamas is a political organization. It is also described as a group that has built tunnels in Israeli-controlled areas.
• Department of Defense — The Department of Defense (DoD) is a US government entity. It provides contracts and funding to companies.
• Operation Al-Aqsa Flood — Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is the codename used by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups for their attacks. The operation was announced by Hamas in October 2023.