Article Posted on : - Dec 11, 2009

A File Photo.

BRASILIA (BNS): Brazil, in 2010, would finalise the name for the multi-billion dollar contarct to build 36 fighter aircraft, said Nelson Jobin, the Minister of Defense of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

According to a Portuguese language newspaper, Folha de S. Paulo, the announcement will be made at the begining of next year.

The key competitors for the billion-dollar deal are French, USA, Russian and Swedish firms. The estimated value of the deal is as much as seven billion dollars.

The Brazilian Air Force is yet to submit their evaluation report to the government. At present, stiff competition is going on between rafale (France's Dassault), F/A-18 Super Hornet (USA's Boeing), Su-35 (Russia's Rosoboronexport) and Gripen NG (Sweden's Saab).

As per the contract, the winner of the deal will have to share its aircraft technology with Brazil, thus enhancing country's defence capabilities.