I had heard the cost was comparable...these are very low production rate planes, apparently.
“Heard the cost was comparable”??? Don’t know where that came from. The Chinese never disclose that kind of information. When you consider they probably stole most of the design and have very low Production costs, the idea that their cost would be comparable is wishful thinking is not ludicrous. That’s like saying the cost of maintaining and equipping one Chinese Soldier is comparable to maintaining and equipping one of ours. They also build Submarines and other ships for a fraction of the cost of ours. Our Bid, R&D and Production costs are so ridiculously high that any comparison with the Chinese would be fantasy. Take it from me, I used to be in that “Racket”.