Management Team

Eng. Walid Abukhaled

Chief Executive Officer

Eng. Walid Abukhaled is the Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). He is in charge of managing SAMI's operational business and achieving its strategic objectives. He brings with him wide and long experience in several leading positions in the Kingdom, Middle East and United Kingdom as he was, prior to joining SAMI, the CEO of Northrop Grumman Middle East, Deputy Minister for Industrial Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the CEO of GE in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Eng. Walid has won prestigious awards of Top 3 “Revolutionary CEOs in the Middle East” in 2011, “Saudi CEO of the Year” in 2015 and “Middle East CEO Thought Leader of the Year 2018”.

Dr. Mohammad AlKahtani

Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Mohammad Al-Kahtani is the Chief Technology Officer at SAMI. He manages ToT and key production activities, as well as, the research, design and development of emerging technologies. He has more than 10 years of experience in R&D and ToT management, more than 8 years in manufacturing management and execution, and more than 15 years of operational experience in weapon systems. He was the military industries expert of SAMI's founding team at PIF and Technical Advisor to the President of Military Industries Corporation (MIC). He holds a masters degree in software engineering and a PhD in cybersecurity. He is the chairman of the board of SAMINavantia, and a board member of several subsidiaries of SAMI.

Nawaf Alhoshan

Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer

Nawaf Alhoshan is the Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer at SAMI, Nawaf Alhoshan is responsible for managing the development and execution of SAMI’s overall strategy in line with the national defense strategy of Saudi Arabia, as well as leading the business development of SAMI through local and regional expansion, managing acquisitions and establishing companies. Alhoshan has extensive experience of more than two decades in strategic planning and business development gained through working in multiple entities across the defense industries and ICT sectors. Prior to joining SAMI, he was the Deputy Minister of Technology Development at the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Nawaf holds a BA in Computer Science from King Saud University and an EMBA from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

Dr. Abdulaziz Albassam

Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel

Dr. Abdulaziz Albassam is the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). He is directly responsible for advising the Board and Executive Management on a broad range of corporate issues relating to SAMI’s acquisitions, joint ventures and commercial activities; as well as leading and scaling-up the legal team to meet the company’s long-term aspirations. He also serves a member of SAMI’s Executive Management team and an appointed board director on several of its key joint ventures. Prior to joining SAMI, Abdulaziz was a Senior Counsel at Saudi Aramco, a member of its Project Development & Finance team, and the Corporate Secretary to several of its local and international subsidiaries, including Aramco’s global hub in the Netherlands, Aramco Overseas, where he most recently served as the resident Chief Counsel between 2016 and 2020. Abdulaziz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University, a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Tulane Law School, and executive management and business degrees from the Harvard and London Business Schools. He is a licensed attorney by the District of Columbia Bar Association, a Certified International Compliance Professional by the Compliance Certification Board, a Certified Board Director by the GCC Board of Directors Institute, and an active member in various professional and social affiliations, including the American and International Bar Associations, Tomouh, and the Saudi Judo Federation (where he currently serves as President). He is also an inaugural member of the Saudi Leadership Society and the Misk 2030 Leaders Program – two exclusive initiatives launched by the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation (Misk).

Abdullah Alkobraish

Chief Internal Audit Officer

Abdullah Alkobraish is the Chief of Internal Audit Officer at SAMI. He is responsible for developing and managing an effective internal audit function that provides independent, objective, assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the company operation to achieve its strategic goals. Alkobraish adopts a well-structured approach to business and transforming the Internal Audit Department into a world-class audit function to ensure operational continuity and maximize efficiency. Prior to joining SAMI, Alkobraish was the Chief Audit Executive at Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR). Currently, he also sits on many boards, audit and risk committees helping to revitalize strategy and execute their mandates effectively.

Ayman Al-Tawil

Chief Governance and Compliance Officer

Ayman Al-Tawil is the Chief Governance and Compliance Officer at Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). He leads the Governance and Compliance at SAMI, develops the proper Corporate Governance principles and sets the frame work along with its related policies and procedures using the business best practices and methodologies to ensure SAMI's adherence to the rules and regulations set by the regulators. He is a current Board Member at SABB Takaful. Mr. Ayman Al-Tawil previously served as a member of the board of Directors at SABB Takaful Company, as well as the aircraft complementary equipment Company Limited. He is currently a member of the Reference Committee of the beverage and packaging company at Tania. He has over 19 years of experience in Corporate Governance & Compliance as he previously served as the Corporate Governance, Compliance and Legal Director at Saudi Ground Services (SGS) as well as several key executive positions in various financial institutions and shareholding companies listed in Capital Market Authority.

Abdulmalik Al-Kohaji

Chief Human Resources Officer

Abdulmalik Al-Kohaji is the Chief Human Resources Officer at SAMI. He is responsible for leading the development and execution of HR strategy, policies and procedures, as well as overseeing all aspects of total rewards, organization development, talent acquisition, employee services and relations, and building human capabilities to support the development of the defense industry. Al-Kohaji previously held several leadership and consulting positions in HR, Organization Development and Transformation at various corporates and governmental entities.

Wael AlSarhan

Chief Communication & Support Services Officer

Wael M. Al-Sarhan is the Chief Communication & Support Services Officer at Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). His extensive experience in communication and marketing contributes to the development of the communication, public relations, events and support Executive Services at SAMI. He has more than 18 years of experience where he held several leading positions, including Ex-Senior Vice President of Marketing at The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri), Ex-Assistant President at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Ex-General Manager of Marketing at NAS Holding.

Eng. Ziad Al-Musallam

Executive Vice President - SAMI Advanced Electronics & Chief Executive Officer - AEC

Eng. Ziad H. Al-Musallam is a seasoned corporate executive and technologist in the defense electronics and high-tech industry. With an exceptional technical, operational, and business track record spanning over 30 years at SAMI Advanced Electronics Company (SAMI-AEC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), Eng. Al-Musallam has demonstrated his expertise and commitment to the field. He currently leads the organization as President & Chief Executive Officer since March 2021 and serves as the Executive Vice President of Advanced Electronics division at SAMI since December 2021. As CEO, Eng. Al-Musallam is responsible for the overall strategic direction and financial profitability of SAMI-AEC, overseeing the entire business, fiscal, and operational activities. In his role as Executive Vice President, he leads the division that enhances the nation's capabilities in the local development and production of defense electronics. Previously, Eng. Al-Musallam held the position of Executive Vice President of Engineering & Operations since 2017 and Senior Vice President of Engineering & Development since 2014. Simultaneously, he served as Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Energy Business Unit from 2015 to 2017. Throughout his tenure, Eng. Al-Musallam has delivered tremendous organizational value by localizing technology and developing extensive in-house knowledge and capabilities. Eng. Al-Musallam began his journey with SAMI-AEC in 1991 in the Operations department and has had an illustrious career rising through the ranks within the organization. Before joining SAMI-AEC, he worked as a Design Engineer at the National Information Center, Ministry of Interior, where he started his career in 1988. In addition to his leadership roles, Eng. Al-Musallam serves as Board Chairman of Advanced Electronics Support Services Co. and SAMI-Thales joint venture. He is also an active member of various industry committees and councils, including the Industrial Committee at Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Committee at Saudi Space Commission, the Industrial Council at the Ministry of Industrial and Mineral Resources, the Consulting Council at the Department of Computer Engineering at King Saud University, and the Saudi Council of Engineers at Consultant grade. Eng. Al-Musallam holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from King Saud University in Riyadh, KSA. He has also earned several management and leadership credentials from reputable global institutions such as INSEAD.

Eng. Abdulsalam Al Ghamdi

Executive Vice President - SAMI Aerospace

Eng. Abdulsalam Al Ghamdi is the Executive Vice President of SAMI Aerospace. He leads the SAMI’s Aerospace business. In contribution to the realization of Vision 2030 in localizing the Aerospace sector in Saudi Arabia. Eng. Al Ghamdi has more than 16 years of experience in the Defense Industries. He worked at SAMI Advanced Electronics Company as the Vice President for Sales and Business Development for 13 Years. Prior to joining SAMI, he was the Board Member and the Chief Executive Officer of Intra Defense Technologies, where he led the business activities of INTRA as well as INTRA initiatives in UAV localization planes including the National UAV Program. Eng. Abdulsalam holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Hull, United Kingdom and a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from King Saud University.

Eng. Mohammed Al-Hodaib

Executive Vice President - SAMI Land

Mohammed Al-Hodaib is the Executive Vice President of SAMI Land. His expertise plays a crucial role in building local capabilities for the manufacture, maintenance, repair and production of land systems, focused on Wheeled- and Tracked Combat Systems, Artillery Systems and other Tactical Vehicles. He is a Ret. Colonel with 25 years of experience in several leading positions managing logistics vehicles factory in MIC, and Saudi marine on MRO programs for armored and tactical vehicles. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from King Saud University and a Master's Degree of Engineering Management from Curtin University.

Esteban Vilasanchez

Executive Vice President - SAMI Sea and Acting Chief Operating Officer

Esteban Vilasanchez is the Executive Vice President - SAMI Sea at Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), who is responsible for the development and localization of the naval systems in Saudi Arabia. He has more than 27 years of experience in the naval industries sector where he held several executive positions, one of which was the Chairman and CEO of Navantia Group. He acquired experience in the shipbuilding, Naval Systems Integration, Naval Systems Maintenance and Repair & Life Cycle Support.

Eng. Mansour Alharbi

Executive Vice President - SAMI Defense Systems

Eng. Mansour Alharbi is the Executive Vice President of SAMI Defense Systems. Eng. Mansour brings over 30 years of experience and achievements. Previously at AEC, he progressed in different leadership positions and currently as SAMI AEC EVP of Business leading all business units. Among other companies, Eng. Mansour serves as a board member at Aircraft Components & Accessories Company, and chairs the board of Advanced Arabian Simulation Company.

Abdulrhman Moulay Albizioui

Chief Financial Officer

Abdulrahman Moulay Albizioui is the Chief Financial Officer of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (“SAMI”). He leads and oversees SAMI's financial strategy, financial controls, corporate finance, financing arrangements, and shareholders relationship management. Mr. Abdulrahman has more than 32 years of experience in corporate finance, governance, strategy, and accounting serving on different senior positions in big 4 firms and in industries. He also served as independent member of different boards and committees in public and private sectors. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from King Saud University with first honor. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is a Qualified Economic Enterprise Valuer.