Hafr Al Batin, Jumada II 01, 1437, March 10, 2016, SPA -- Eastern Sector's King Saud Air Base, whose foundation stone was laid on Wednesday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Hafr Al Batin province, consitutes a new fort for protection of the airspace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was stated by the commander of King Saud Air Base in the Eastern Sector Major General Ahmed bin Ali Al-Asiri. Technical studies, designs and engineering survey works for the construction of the new base began immediately after the issuance of the royal approval to turn the advanced air base in Hafr Al-Batin to a major air force base under the name of King Saud Air Base in the Eastern Sector, Al-Asiri said. He explained that the designs of the new air base took into account the highest quality and efficiency standards, energy conservation standards and the preservation of the existing facilities in line with the objectives and plans of the new air force base to be a combat air base. Al-Asiri noted that King Saud Air Base will include several plane squadrons, as well as other support systems and with the ability to accommodate more air systems in the future. The air base will be able to work around the clock in case of war with the ability to carry out air operations with self stockpiles of fuel, weapons, ammunition and spare parts. He said that the airbase will be built in three phases and is expected to be completed in four years, stressing that such construction works will not affect the current operation of the base. --SPA 01:22 LOCAL TIME 22:22 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w