For the first time since it entered service Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen C/D multi-role fighter jet has flown a live mission – and can now officially call itself “combat proven”. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) deployed the type as part of the recent border escalation with Cambodia to support its own ground troops.
The last western 4th generation jet to date without a proven weapons mission thus received its “baptism of fire”. Sweden had already deployed eight Gripen C/Ds to Sicily in 2011 in order to carry out a test flight as part of the NATO-operation “Unified Protector” over Libya – however, the mission was limited to photo reconnaissance due to its neutral status.
Precision strikes in the Surin-Oddar Meanchey border region
The most recent conflict was triggered by an incident on 28 May in which a Cambodian soldier was killed in a disputed patrol zone – along a border whose course has been disputed between the two states since a French colonial map from 1907. After several incidents, Cambodian rocket artillery units then attacked the Thai province of Surin at the end of July. Bangkok’s response came on July 26 – targeted air strikes by the Thai air force against artillery positions, partly to avoid collateral damage to civilians.
JAS-39C Gripen of the 701st squadron, temporarily stationed at Korat airbase, were deployed for the first time. Equipped with 230-kilogram GBU-12 glide bombs (based on Mk.82 and laser-guided), they attacked BM-21 and RM-70 missile sites near the ruined temple of Prasat Preah Vihear – a Unesco World Heritage Site that has been at the center of territorial tensions for years.
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The mission was supplemented by F-16s of the 103rd squadron, which attacked command facilities of the 8th and 9th Cambodian support brigades with South Korean KGGB glide bombs.
According to the RTAF, all deployed aircraft returned safely. Within just five days, the conflict claimed 43 lives – including almost as many soldiers as civilians on both sides. Tens of thousands of people fled temporarily or were evacuated. A ceasefire brokered by Malaysia came into force on July 31.
First deployment strengthens Saab’s export business
With the documented combat deployment of the Thai Gripen fleet, which includes seven single-seat JAS-39C (one crashed on January 14) and four twin-seat JAS-39Ds, the system demonstrated operational capability under real combat conditions for the first time – including real-time target designation, dynamic coordination and precision action in live combat. The mission was supported by Saab 340 AEW&C platforms, which are part of the network-centric structure of the RTAF.
The mission now gives the Swedish jet that attribute that has been missing until now – “combat proven” – and could give Saab additional tailwind internationally, especially in markets that are looking for a powerful and at the same time cost-efficient multi-role combat aircraft.
Sweden continues to back Gripen procurement
Immediately after the mission, the Swedish military attaché in Bangkok confirmed to journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk that Sweden is still 100 percent behind the ongoing Gripen procurement for Thailand – contrary to rumors to the contrary in the Phnom Penh Post.
Cambodia currently has no more fighter jets; older MiG-21s, J-6Cs and J-5s have been decommissioned. Phnom Penh only has transport, liaison and training aircraft – without modern air defense. Air supremacy thus clearly lay with Thailand.
New generation of Gripen already in preparation
Thailand received its first Gripen squadron in 2011 and regularly stations it at Surat Thani AB in the south of the country. The recent battles coincided with the order for four new Gripen E/F aircraft to be delivered by 2029 – a first tranche of up to twelve additional jets in total. According to Thai media, the price of the order is expected to be around 520 million euros.
As Air Force Chief of Staff ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul told Militär Aktuell a few days ago on the sidelines of the Royal International Air Tattoo (-> Highlights from RIAT 2025), the new Gripen generation is not intended as a replacement for the existing Gripen C/D, but to replace the oldest F-16A/B, some of which have been in service for over 37 years. A two-seater Gripen F is also included in the initial package.
Saab scores in Latin America
In addition to Thailand, Saab is currently also enjoying increasing success in Latin America: following the 36 Gripen E/Fs ordered by Brazil (eight delivered, with a long-term requirement of over 100 aircraft) Colombia signed a letter of intent in April 2025 for the purchase of 16 to 24 Gripen E. In The jet is also the favorite in the current tender in Peru.
By the way: The Australian vlogger Tim Newton, who lives in Thailand, tries in his article “Thai-Cambodia Conflict – Who’s Telling the Truth?”he attempts to shed light on both perspectives of the – presumably only temporarily settled – border conflict and contrast the respective accounts.
