Brazil has said it will formally announce a multibillion-dollar contract to develop 36 fighter aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force at the beginning of 2010.

Under the contract, estimated to be around $7bn, the winner of the deal will have to share its aircraft technology with Brazil, which will enhance the country’s defence capabilities.

Currently, 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) to win the deal.

At the moment, the air force is evaluating the report of the contract, before submitting it to the government.