Well, there is one reason why a purchase is unlikely. A lease however possible.

If the IDF/AF buys the plane they could not expect any money from the US for that buy. So they would have to pay the purchase aout of an already slim budget. A lease could be possible though.

Perfect anti-radiation missile.

There is one thing that makes me wonder, why do I get the impression that India is always jumping on certain aviation programms, that everybody has taken on years before them.
I mean Grippen and LCA are comparable if you look at the capabilites and LCA will be the last 4th generation fighter to reach IOC. (not counting chinese planes)

Then there is the small 14 seat turboprop pusher. Which is aimed at a pratically no longer existing nice in the world market.

And now yet another 100 seat airliner. We have Embraer, Airbus, Boeing, SU and Tu already in or about to join the market. On the other hand a jet powered 30-45 seats regional airliner with high wings optimized for rough field conditions, could really find buyers. I mean even the very unlucky Do-328 Jet is still finding customers.

And so I will find the turn back to the LCA. The question that I´m really asking me is : Is Indias domestic market big enough to justify all those programms which show are more or less complete disregard for the international market. Although I give the LCA a limited chance of eport orders.

Plz forgive me that I went off-topic. And I no way I want to bash the indian programms again.

TFN is worth a visit too. You get a regular Iberia 747-400 or A340. Then the constant Binter canarias flights. Some charters and some Spanish military stuff. Highly recommended for spotting.

I´m saying, that depending of service entry and full IOC, the IAF might be not that happy with the LCA. I mean given a production run over 15 years, the last LCA might join the IAF in 2025 or later. During that time being able to match an F-16A or FC-1 won´t cur it anymore. J-10 is the unknown horse in that game. We don´t know enough about it to come to sensible judgement about that plane.

There is some pretty decent spotting at TFS. You can forget the airport itself though and I would strongly recommend a rent-a-car (yo can alos go to TFN with it). Furthermore don´t try around noon or you will get very hot.

http://mitglied.lycos.de/planespotters/. There is a good guide and a map for both airports.

And I know a very excellent spanish restaurant near TFN. You would not want to miss the “queso fritto” there.