Source for that is
https://web.archive.org/web/2013080...il/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=72 ( USAF AGM-65 MAVERICK factsheet
Posted 11/16/2007)
Clearly these are not necessarily 2007 prices. Rather, they are prices by type (perhaps even in constant dollars), with older (less advanced) or more numerous types likely being cheaper than newer (more advanced) or less numerous types. Also, comparing cost quotes in dollars at different moments in time should take into account the decline in value and purchasing power of the US dollar, esp. from late 1960s to 1980s.
The US Navy factsheet on Maverick says:
Service Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force
The AGM-65F (infrared targeting optimized for ship tracking.) used on Navy P-3 aircraft, and the AGM-65E (laser guided) used on Marine Corps AV-8 aircraft have the larger (300 pound; 136 kg) penetrating warhead. The AGM-65A/B/D 125 pound (57 kg) shaped charge (electro-optical guided) is used by the Air Force F-16 and A-10 aircraft.
Unit Cost: $180,000.
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2200&tid=500&ct=2
USD $48,000 (A model), $64,100 (B), $110,000 (C), $111,000 (D), $101,000 (E) and $269,000 (G) (
FY 1999)
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_armament_article4.html
Acquisition unit cost: $129,322 (AGM 65 D), $158,688 (AGM 65 E)
Production unit cost: $17,000 (AGM 65 A/B) $122,230 (AGM 65 D), $152,491 (AGM 65 E)
Number produced: 23,689 (AGM 65 D), 4,115 (AGM 65 E)
Date deployed AGM65A/B 1972, AGM65D 1986, AGM65E later than 1986
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/agm-65-specs.htm
Maverick D replaced the electro-optical guidance with an
imaging infrared system which doubled the practical firing distance and allowed for its use at night and during bad weather. A
reduced smoke rocket engine was also introduced in this model. It achieved its initial operation capability in 1983.
Maverick E uses a
laser designator guidance system optimized for fortified installations and
heavier penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead (140 kg (300 lb) vs. 57 kg (125 lb) in older models). It achieved IOC in 1985 and was used mainly by USMC aviation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-65_Maverick#Variants
If you claim non-US users pay more than US for the same item, than pls provide references that
show this.
Nothing is free. Raw materials need to be extracted and processed before they are even remotely ready for use in arms manufacturing. Which means machining, refining etc. Which means it is not 'just labor'. If the cost of raw materials is not charged to the arms manufacturer, then it is born by the government i.e. by society i.e. all the people of Iran. Pretending those costs aren't there is selfdelusion.
In 2006, about 45% of Iran's government budget came from oil and natural gas revenues, and 31% from taxes and fees.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran
So, if the government takes care of the raw material and processing cost so armsanufacturers only pay wages, then that means oil and gas revenues and tax revenues don't end up benefitting non-arms programs e.g. healthcare and education etc. And it doesn't end up in our pocket either. So, either way the people pay.
Yes, 1.5 mil pounds was the unit cost of a fully equipped Challenger I back in those days
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/...llenger-tank-cost#S6CV0108P0_19870112_CWA_587
The price of a Challenger II in 1990 was over £4,000,000
http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0023.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenger_2
The projected production costs for one Leopard 2AV tank were $128,800 in 1976.
A Lepard II A6 in 2006 cost 2A6: US$5.74 million
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_2
A -72 cost between US$0.5 and $1.2 million in 1994-1996, and US$1–2 million in 2009
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-72 referincing
http://www.kap-yar.ru/index.php?pg=244
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20090806/155743859.html
A T-90 cost USD$ 2.5 million in 1999, US$2.77 – 4.25 million in 2011 (varies by source) and T-90MS is USD 4.5 Million
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-90 referencing
http://www.kap-yar.ru/index.php?pg=244
http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=93690&cid=25
So?
1999-2004 a T-55 went for $200,000
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product412.html
That's nice an cheap. You will also right quickly die in it on a modern battle field. Which doesn't mean it is a usefull piece of kit in some settings, depending on the (lack of) AT capabilities of your opponent.