The Brazilian Government has postponed a multibillion-dollar fighter jet deal until the start of 2012, Defence Minister Nelson Azevedo Jobim has said.

“We will examine it at the beginning of next year. At the moment, we are only focused on the domestic agenda,” he added.

The new fighter jet deal for the purchase of more than 100 aircraft is to rebuild and expand its worn-out fleet of air force jets.

France’s Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and Saab’s Griffon are the final bidders in the deal.

Brazil has demanded a technology transfer while considering the price and tactical issues.