After nearly 30 years in service, the Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripen fighter saw its first combat use by Thailand, in a border clash with Cambodia, signaling its growing regional strategic value.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen first entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1996, yet in nearly three decades, the multirole fighter had never taken part in a combat sortie. The closet was more than 14 years ago, when Sweden deployed eight of its fighters to Sigonella, Sicily, to support NATO’s Operation Unified Protector in Libya.
However, the Gripen finally had its baptism of fire this month, not with the Swedish Air Force but rather with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), which deployed a pair of JAS-39C/D models, along with two F-16 Fighting Falcons, in a combat mission against Cambodia.
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire on Monday, following a threat by US President Donald Trump to impose higher tariffs on both Southeast Asian countries. The recent flare-up began as a border dispute that dates back more than a century and involves a claim to ownership of the 11th-century Hindu temple of Preah Vihear. Each side has blamed the other for the escalation.
Bangkok claims that Cambodian forces had prepared “indirect fire weapons,” aimed into Thai territory.
Thai Fighter Jets Fire at the Cambodian Military
Just days into the conflict, the RTAF conducted an aerial combat sortie, in which the Saab JAS 39s and F-16s struck Cambodian military targets near the contested border. According to NationThailand, two strikes were carried out on Saturday, targeting artillery positions. The aircraft reportedly carried Mk 82-class general-purpose bombs, possibly equipped with South Korean-developed GPS-Guided Bomb glide kits.
This marked the first time the JAS 39 Gripen had been deployed in combat.
The Aviation Week Network’s “Fleet Discovery Military database” noted that the RTAF currently operates 11 JAS-39C/D fighters, all based at Surat Thani AB in the south of the country. Additionally, Thailand operates a fleet of 36 single-seat F-16A Fighting Falcons and 14 two-seat F-16B fighters.
Was a Thai Fighter Jet Shot Down by Cambodia?
Phnom Penh has claimed in the recent fighting that an RTAF F-16 was shot down, an allegation disputed by Bangkok.
“All Thai aircraft are safe,” the RTAF posted on its official social media page on Saturday. “The claim is categorically untrue. We urge the public to follow updates from reliable and official sources only.”
Is Thailand Buying More JAS 39 Fighter Jets?
It was a year ago that the RTAF announced it had selected the JAS 39 Gripen E/F to replace its aging fleet of F-16A/B Fighting Falcons following a 10-month evaluation process. The Saab fighter outperformed the Lockheed Martin-built F-16 Block 70/72 fighters, among other foreign offerings.
Bangkok first adopted the JAS 39 Gripen C/D models in 2008, and those fighters were upgraded following a January 2021 contract. The RTAF expects to operate the Gripen for at least 30 more years.
Due to budgetary constraints, the RTAF is now expected to receive the 12 to 14 Gripen E aircraft in batches of four over the next several years. The single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft was designed for a single pilot, but the B and D versions were also developed, featuring an extended canopy for a crew of two. Although designed to operate in the rugged conditions of Sweden, the Gripen has proven ideal for the hot, humid climates of Thailand.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
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