A technology company backed by Eric Trump could soon be sending robots into the tunnels under the Gaza Strip to detect trip wires and neutralize booby traps ahead of Israeli troops.
Foundation Future Industries said it was in direct talks with top Israeli military officials to deploy its combat-capable Phantom MK1 robots to the tunnels erected by Hamas throughout the Palestinian enclave.
The Israel Defense Forces are expected to buy up to 1,000 humanoid robots from the company. The robots are expected to cost around $150,000 per unit, according to the Daily Telegraph.
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Foundation Future Industries President and co-founder Mike LeBlanc told the Financial Times that Eric Trump, the company’s chief strategic adviser, was “very mechanically inclined.”
“He loves talking about the robots; he loves asking questions about the robots,” Mr. LeBlanc said. “He’s been very valuable as an adviser.”
If the IDF deal goes through, the robots will be sent to patrol the Hamas-controlled tunnels, which span about 300 miles, according to the Telegraph.
Mr. Trump, 42, holds an equity stake in Foundation Future Industries, which was founded in 2024. Mr. LeBlanc said the company has received more than $70 million in contracts from the U.S. military, the Telegraph reported.
A spokesman for Mr. Trump said the president’s son had no involvement in the company’s management, operations, strategic decisions or commercial activities. That includes the solicitation or negotiation of any government contracts, according to the Telegraph.
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