King Saud Air Base Phase Two construction has moved beyond its October 2026 bidding deadline, advancing Saudi Arabia’s plans for a major military aviation complex. The development in Hafr Al Batin, Eastern Region, forms part of a three-phase programme to expand the Royal Saudi Air Force’s operational infrastructure.
Contractors had until October 20, 2026, to submit proposals for the latest construction package. However, no successful main contractor or final award has been publicly confirmed. The latest procurement carries an estimated value of US$1.36 billion and a three-year delivery period. Meanwhile, the project will provide operational, administrative, residential and airfield facilities across the expanding military installation.
King Saud Air Base Phase Two construction advances beyond tender deadline
The Ministry of Defence and Aviation initiated the latest procurement process in September 2026. Subsequently, Saudi Arabia invited qualified contractors to compete for the next construction package.
According to MEED, the tender covers several major buildings and supporting military facilities. These include the headquarters building, administrative buildings and operations and maintenance facilities.
Additionally, the construction package includes police camp facilities, weapons and ammunition facilities, residential buildings and airfield infrastructure. Contractors must also accommodate associated facilities supporting the wider installation.
The project carries a three-year construction period. Consequently, the appointed contractor will coordinate several building and infrastructure activities across the military complex.
The air base occupies approximately 383 square kilometres in Hafr Al Batin. Its strategic location supports Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region military infrastructure development.
King Saud Air Base expands
King Saud Air Base is taking shape as a major Royal Saudi Air Force installation in Hafr Al Batin. Saudi Arabia originally planned the base as a three-phase development. The program would support multiple aircraft squadrons and associated operational systems.
The original development plan also included facilities supporting fuel, weapons, ammunition and spare-parts storage. The design allows the installation to accommodate additional air systems in the future.
Furthermore, Saudi authorities planned the construction program without disrupting the base’s existing operations. The development therefore requires careful coordination between construction activities and military operations.
The latest procurement signals continued progress after several contracts and construction activities advanced across the wider base program.
King Saud Air Base enters another delivery stage
The latest Phase Two scope points to a broad construction package rather than a single building project. Contractors must cover civil infrastructure and several supporting utility systems.
The scope includes roads, earthworks, backfilling, grading and compaction works. It also covers buildings, power facilities, water infrastructure and wastewater facilities.
In addition, the qualification requirements include fiber-optic communications infrastructure. These systems will support connectivity across the expanding military installation.
The project also forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader defence infrastructure investment. The Kingdom continues upgrading military facilities alongside its wider national construction program.
Separately, Petrojet secured a $160 million contract for infrastructure works at King Saud Air Base in 2025. The contract has a reported 18-month delivery period.
That package covers connections, protection networks and electrical systems. It also includes sewage and water connections serving a new power plant.
The power plant involves a consortium comprising Petrojet, Alfanar and Isam Khairi Kabbani Group. However, those works should remain distinct from the newly tendered Phase Two package.
King Saud Air Base construction builds on earlier infrastructure awards
The latest procurement follows substantial construction commitments under Phase One. Saudi Arabia previously awarded contracts worth approximately SR6.6 billion, equivalent to $1.8 billion.
Isam Khairi Kabbani Group and Alfanar Projects secured the first package. The approximately US$783 million contract covers major construction activities.
Meanwhile, a consortium comprising Albawani, Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting and Alghanim International secured another package. MEED valued this contract at approximately $1 billion.
Separately, Petrojet secured an approximately $160 million infrastructure contract at the air base in 2025. Its scope includes electrical systems, protection networks and utility connections.
The works also cover sewage and water connections serving a new power plant. Petrojet’s consortium includes Alfanar and Isam Khairi Kabbani Group. These activities remain separate from the latest Phase Two main construction tender.
The expanding military aviation programme also coincides with Saudi Arabia’s investment in civilian airport infrastructure. In Riyadh, the King Salman International Airport development is progressing towards its own major terminal construction procurement.
Three international consortiums have completed the early contractor involvement stage for Terminal 6. They include Al-Gihaz Holding, TAV Construction and Webuild; Modern Building Leaders, PowerChina and Metallurgical Corporation of China; and UCC Holding with Consolidated Contractors Company.
The shortlisted teams are preparing their main construction proposals for submission by January 2027. The terminal will add 40 million passengers annually to the airport’s planned capacity. Riyadh Airport Terminal 6 construction tender attracts three international contractor consortiums.
Although both developments support Saudi Arabia’s aviation infrastructure, they serve different purposes. King Saud Air Base supports military aviation, while King Salman International Airport targets commercial passenger and cargo growth.
King Saud Air Base strengthens Saudi military infrastructure
The Phase Two development forms part of a broader three-stage programme designed to establish a major combat air base. Its facilities will support multiple aircraft squadrons and associated operational requirements.
Furthermore, the development incorporates infrastructure for weapons, ammunition, fuel and other military support functions. The planned facilities will strengthen the installation’s capacity to support sustained military operations.
Saudi authorities must also coordinate construction activities with existing base operations. This requirement places additional emphasis on construction sequencing, site access and infrastructure integration.
The latest tender therefore represents another significant construction milestone. However, the next major development will depend on contractor selection and confirmation of the main construction award.
King Saud Air Base strengthens Eastern Sector infrastructure
Saudi Arabia began planning the modern King Saud Air Base after approving the transformation of an advanced airfield. Technical studies, engineering surveys and designs followed the approval.
The base incorporates energy-efficiency considerations and seeks to preserve existing facilities. Its planned operational capabilities support continuous military activity when required.
The current tender therefore represents another significant construction step within the wider three-phase program. MEED currently identifies the project duration for the latest phase as three years.
The procurement also creates opportunities for contractors specializing in military construction, utilities and complex infrastructure delivery. Saudi Arabia’s construction pipeline continues to favor strategic infrastructure alongside major national development schemes.
The King Saud Air Base expansion also reflects the wider scale of aviation infrastructure construction across the Gulf. In the UAE, Dubai World Central Airport is undergoing plans for a major expansion designed to create the world’s largest airport by capacity.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: King Saud Air Base development
Location: Hafr Al Batin, Eastern Sector, Saudi Arabia
Client: Royal Saudi Air Force, under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense
Current stage: Tendering for the next development phase
Current phase: Phase Two
Estimated Package 2 value: $1.36 billion
Earlier Package 1 value: Approximately $783 million
Current phase duration: Three years
Development structure: Three planned phases
Main construction scope: Buildings, roads, site development and infrastructure
Utilities scope: Power generation, water and wastewater facilities
Communications scope: Fiber-optic communication infrastructure
Operational purpose: Major combat air base supporting multiple aircraft squadrons
Strategic location: Hafr Al Batin in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Sector
Procurement platform: Etimad government procurement platform
Qualification reference: 241140017394
Construction classification: General construction and public facilities construction
Delivery consideration: Construction must support continued base operations
Project Team
Client: Royal Saudi Air Force
Government authority: Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia
Engineering authority: Royal Saudi Air Force Engineering and Works Administration
Procurement authority: Royal Saudi Air Force
Phase Two contractor: To be appointed through the current procurement process
Phase Two consultant: Not publicly identified in the available tender information
Earlier infrastructure contractor: Petrojet
Earlier infrastructure consortium members: Alfanar and Isam Khairi Kabbani Group
Project consultant: Dar AlRiyadh
Earlier construction contractor: BGSJV
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