Walter Ayala Gonzales (born 20 July 1971) is a Peruvian judge and former Minister of Defense of Peru.

Ayala was born in Lima.

He studied at the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega University where he obtained a master's degree, and at the Federico Villarreal University, where he obtained a master's degree in Civil and Commercial Law, as well as studies in Public Administration and Management with a mention in National Defense.

[1][2] Ayala worked in the judiciary until 2017 and was also chairman of the ethics committee of the Bar Association of Lima before he was removed from office in 2019.

[1][2] On 29 July 2021, Ayala was appointed Minister of Defense of Peru in the Pedro Castillo government.