Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said March 25 that the winner of a multi-billion-dollar contract to supply the Brazilian air force would not be announced in a fortnight, according to news agency reports.

      France's Dassault with its Rafale fighter, Sweden's Saab with the Gripen NG aircraft and U.S.-based Boeing with the F/A-18 Super Hornet are competing to supply Brazil's air force with 36 new fighter jets.

      The deal has an initial value of an estimated $4-10 billion, with the possibility of many more fighters being added later on.

      "Work is underway in the legal sector of the Defense Ministry. We are examining the legality of the proceedings, so that I can later submit an explanatory memorandum (on the preferred aircraft model) to the president," Jobim told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Rio de Janeiro.

      "I think I will be able to present a statement of reasons to the president after Easter." Officials had said a decision was expected by the end of March.

      Saab's Gripen NG fighter is reportedly favored by the Brazilian air force, but Jobim and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have repeatedly said they prefer the more powerful and more expensive Rafale jet by France's Dassault company.

      Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet is seen as an outside contender because of doubts that Brazil would obtain the total technology transfer it is seeking as part of the deal.