The JAS 39 Gripen is Saab's Swedish single-engine multirole fighter, designed for dispersed operations, quick turnaround, and air-to-air or air-to-ground missions. Thailand operates Gripen C/D aircraft and has documented 2025 combat use, while Brazil designates its Gripen E/F fleet as F-39 Gripen and is introducing both the single-seat Gripen E and two-seat Gripen F.
Royal Thai Air Force Gripens were fielded by Thailand in July 2025 combat support missions with F-16s along the Thai-Cambodian border; reporting described strikes against Cambodian military or artillery positions and RTAF statements framed the missions as self-defense.
Brazil's F-39 Gripen fleet uses the Gripen E/F generation: the single-seat Gripen E is designated F-39E, and the two-seat Gripen F is designated F-39F. Saab describes the Gripen F as a two-seat fighter developed with Brazilian industry to accelerate training while retaining operational combat utility.
Saab's Gripen F video also frames the type as a bridge from lower-performance aircraft such as the A-29 Super Tucano into the F-39 fleet, and discusses future missions in which the fighter coordinates with unmanned aerial systems without naming a specific UAS model.
Sweden became a Gripen operator in the late 1990s and remains the largest Gripen C/D operator in Saab's current service framing.
Sources: Saab: Gripen C-series
Saab says Thailand has operated Gripen C/D fighters since 2011, establishing the fleet later used in border combat missions.
Sources: Saab: Royal Thai Air Force confirms Gripen E/F selection
Brazil's contract covered 36 Gripen E/F fighters: 28 single-seat Gripen E aircraft and eight two-seat Gripen F aircraft.
Sources: Saab: Saab presents first Gripen F
The first Brazilian Gripen E, designated F-39 Gripen by the Brazilian Air Force, completed its first flight in Brazil.
Sources: Saab: The first Brazilian Gripen has flown in Brazil
Royal Thai Air Force Gripens were reported in combat support missions and strikes during the Thailand-Cambodia border fighting.
Sources: The Nation: Thai Air Force deploys F-16s and Gripens, Breaking Defense: Thailand's Gripen combat mission, Armada International: Gripen's first combat missions
The Brazilian Air Force completed its first Meteor beyond-visual-range missile firings from Gripen E during the BVR-X technical exercise.
Sources: Saab: Brazilian Air Force conducts Meteor missile firings with Gripen E
Gripen E began Quick Reaction Alert duties from Anapolis Air Base as part of Brazil's permanent airspace defense system.
Sources: Saab: Gripen E commences Quick Reaction Alert for the first time in Brazil
Saab, Embraer, and the Brazilian Air Force presented the first Gripen E produced in Brazil at Embraer's Gaviao Peixoto site.
Sources: Saab: First Gripen E fighter produced in Brazil is unveiled
Saab rolled out the first two-seat Gripen F for the Brazilian Air Force at its Linkoping facility before planned flight testing.
Sources: Saab: Saab presents first Gripen F
