The Indians have picked up $6billion of the $12billion development cost of the PAK-FA so far.
But remember that the PAK-FA was the result of both Russia and India being unable to afford the development and production costs of a 5th generation fighter by themselves, as they would have preferred to have done. That was compounded by a technology deficit on the Indian side.
Plus I stand by my comment on the Soviet Union disappearing. If you're going to start arguing the semantics, then I would suggest you start with the numerous articles from Time magazine on the disappearance of the Soviet Union.
Today's Russia is a declining power with stagnant/declining population growth along with negative economic growth. From a population, economic and military point of view - they are greatly overshadowed by the USA and also by China and also by the combined EU. (Yes, the combined EU military is way bigger)
So they are essentially a status quo power who resent the expansion of NATO and the EU into Ukraine and Georgia - as they regard as these places as their traditional sphere of influence.
You really don't understand world powers do you. Its not the well fed wolf that eats you Bub, its the half starved, ravenous beast, that without regard to reason savagely attacks and rips and tears until he tears you apart, or you deal him a "killing blow".
Mr. Putin has taken advantage of BHO's and Europes weakness, and lack of resolve to savage both the former Soviet Georgia and Urkaine, and take the best of both, while people who should have been on it, had a spaz attack over "appearances" and their legacy.
The Russian Bear is not dead, he was in hibernation through a long kold winter, the taking of territory in Georgia and Ukraine has also "recapitalized" the national psyche!
In any regard the Russians are not to be underestimated by intelligent folks, and reason and rationale may not lead you to understand their next course of action, they are gamblers, as well as ambitious, much of the present anger stems from the West's contemptuous attitude during their difficult years, so read time magazine all you want, but first attempt to understand who your potential adversary is, and then measure that against history and desire!
The Indians need the Russians, and the Russians need the Indians, I doubt there is much love lost between them, but it is mutually advantageous for each party to maintain that relationship. I believe the Indians would love to buy PAK-FA if it measured up to expectations, but 250 million a copy is a lot of "jack".
