The Board of Directors of Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) unveiled the appointment of Eng. Walid Abukhaled as acting CEO to oversee the companys operations started from April 23, 2020, until in addition notice. Eng. Abukhaled will be taking over from Dr. Andreas Schwer who served as CEO of the company since January 1, 2018.

The decision of the Board of Directors was made after the evaluation of SAMIs achievements since its inception as Dr. Schwer completes his mandate, which added leveraging the global military industries learnings and experiences in the switch of technology and excellent practices and develop the organization to its contemporary position. The move additionally comes in line with the companys overarching goal of localizing these experiences with a deeper understanding of the needs of internal and external clients and attaining the Saudization of leadership positions.

The Board of Directors expressed its gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Schwer for his active function in the institution of the organisation throughout the previous almost two and a half years, and for his contributions and knowledge that have enabled SAMI to accomplish many tremendous milestones, wishing him each and every success in his future career.

The decision of the Board of Directors to name SAMIs Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Eng. Walid Abukhaled, as acting CEO, until similarly notice, comes in awareness of his in-depth information and almost three decades of exceptional career in the military industries. Eng. Abukhaled received his great experience via serving numerous distinguished positions, such as CEO for the Middle East at Northrop Grumman, Deputy Minister of Industrial Affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry, President and CEO of General Electric in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and Chairman of the Operations Board and Director of Strategic Investments Group at BAE Systems in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, among others.

SAMIs Board of Directors additionally expressed its self assurance and trust in Eng. Abukhaleds leadership skills and wished him success in his new role as Acting CEO, hoping that he will make contributions successfully to attaining the companys dreams and assist it play an active role in meeting the aspirations of Saudi Arabia.