When it comes to small nations building their own fighters, the only recent example is Sweden and to that I believe any other small nations efforts in this field should be compared.
An interesting note from Swedens Gripen project is the recommendations that FMV (Försvarets Materielverk – Defence materiel administration) came up with in 1981 (the partial report was handed in october 13th), regarding the economic viability of idigenous development and production of a new fighter. Their recommendations were as follows:
* If less than 100 aircraft is to be purchased, the choise should be (a direct purchase of) F-16s
* If 100-200 is to be procured a licence production of F-18s is the best option.
* With more than 200-300 [sic!] aircraft an indigineous option is economical
When it came to final decisions in 1989-90 FMV claimed that at least 250-300 aircraft needed be produced to justify indigenous production.
With prices escalating I think it’s safe to say that indigineous production is only an option when you have an indigenous demand in exess of 300 fighters. Sweden had that at the time. Serbia today has not. One wonders if they could afford a tenth of those numbers.
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