Regarding inf-SAMs, I have been surprised to find out that even the most advanced MANPADS were hardly even a nuisance against any plane better than a first-generation F-16. And I'm talking about missiles in the range of a FIM-92J or Igla-S or even better fictional stuff.
It looks like the EW scaling doesn't work exactly the same way on planes and AA, or maybe it's the absence of radar FC that does it. But that's another matter.
Basically, I find that buying a cheap enough MANPADS platoon or AA gun section provides less of a kill capability than a no-entry zone for enemy helicopters for a few turns. The nuisance is enhanced by the fact that it calls up precious enemy arty support to silence those AA units.
But maybe I should play less high-tech
