Given the fact they don't need to pay any additional side grade costs for faust and nades, I'd say they are fairly priced for what they do.
Bear in mind that rifles and tommies don't exactly start with everything unlocked for free.
If cons being shitty because of utility out of the gate was a good argument, then so it is for PFs.
To need its not the same as to be able to, therefore if PF CANT GET sidetech upgrades, because of FACTION DESIGN, its not fair to claim their are fairly priced if they loose vs cons.
Cons on the other side DO NOT NEED at upgrades to fight PF.
Other squads than Rifles and Tommies dont get anything for free neither, you are simply bias thinking there.
Cons can be shitty because penals, because call-in infantry or simply because faction timings, the "utility" aspect of cons has been long ago debunked and discussed. Do not spread missinformation please.