Financial Times reports that Foundation Future Industries (FFI), a U.S. robotics company backed by Eric Trump, is in preliminary talks to sell up to 1,000 Phantom MK1 humanoid robots to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for potential use in Gaza’s tunnel network. Israeli authorities have not publicly confirmed a purchase, according to the outlet.
What’s on the table
FFI co-founder and president Mike LeBlanc told Financial Times the proposed robots could patrol tunnels, detect tripwires and neutralize booby traps, with possible future roles that include engaging enemy combatants. LeBlanc said he met senior Israeli military officials in September and brought a Phantom MK1 into tunnels beneath Gaza, FT reported. The IDF referred questions to Israel’s Defense Ministry, which declined to comment, according to FT. FFI did not immediately respond to a request for comment in the source report.
Why tunnels matter
Israeli forces have repeatedly encountered explosives, concealed weapons and fortified positions underground. The IDF said in June 2025 it discovered a Hamas tunnel of roughly 1.5 kilometers beneath Khan Yunis, along with weapons and ammunition. The military also reported structures rigged with about five tons of explosives in the area, and in May 2025 described booby-trapped entrances in a southern Gaza passageway where soldiers engaged militants before destroying the infrastructure. In May 2024, three Israeli soldiers were killed when explosive devices detonated at a booby-trapped tunnel shaft, according to the IDF.
What the robots can and can’t do (so far)
Phantom MK1 stands about six feet tall and weighs around 176 pounds, with articulated limbs for human environments, according to specifications reported by Robot24. A Reuters video posted on X shows FFI’s robots in action. The company has advertised reconnaissance, inspection and logistics uses. LeBlanc’s description of potential combat roles has not been independently verified.
FFI CEO Sankaet Pathak told WIRED in July that the company is developing weapons capabilities for its humanoids but has not publicly demonstrated reliable autonomous combat operations. WIRED also reported researchers question whether humanoid robots are dependable enough for dangerous military environments.
FFI delivered two Phantom MK1s to Ukraine in February for military evaluation focused on reconnaissance and logistics, according to TIME. The outlet Militarnyi reported the robots were assessed for transporting equipment and tasks in dangerous areas; they were not reported to have engaged enemy forces with weapons.
Price, production and procurement
FFI previously sold military-oriented robots for about $300,000 each, Pathak told Reuters. At that price, a notional order of 1,000 units would total roughly $300 million before training, maintenance or specialized gear. No contract value or Israeli procurement commitment has been disclosed.
FFI is developing a Phantom MK2 using AMD’s Ryzen AI Embedded X100 series processors under a partnership announced in July, Reuters reported. Pathak told Reuters the company planned a factory capable of producing 5,000 robots annually, with ambitions for a second facility targeting 50,000 per year. Those figures reflect company plans and are not independently verified output.
Who’s behind FFI
Financial Times reported Eric Trump became FFI’s chief strategic adviser in March after investing in the company and retains an ownership stake. LeBlanc told FT that FFI and a company it acquired have received more than $70 million in U.S. military contracts and development funding, including a significant procurement award issued after Eric Trump joined. According to FT, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren raised concerns about possible corruption related to those awards. LeBlanc denied that Eric Trump’s involvement helped FFI secure contracts, and a spokesperson for Eric Trump said he does not participate in daily operations or government contracting, FT reported.
Autonomy and rules of engagement remain unclear
Financial Times noted ongoing debate among defense researchers and legal experts over autonomous weapons. It remains unclear whether the proposed robots would be remotely operated, navigate autonomously or be permitted to engage targets independently if acquired.
The bottom line
The talks reported by FT would, if they advance, test whether humanoid robots can operate effectively and safely in one of the world’s most hazardous underground battlefields. As of now, Israeli authorities have not confirmed a purchase, and key technical, legal and operational questions remain open.