An F-105 Thunderchief cost 2.14 million in 1960 when we still knew how to procure and produce weapons. Inflation adjusted, it would cost 15.7 million. This Chinese plane is a winner just on price if it is as cheap to maintain as a Mig-29
Yeah... that was back when we COULD produce.
But maybe the Chinese version is like some of the “cheap Chinese” stuff where a break-and-replace policy is more cost effective than “maintenance.”