WASHINGTON, April 13 (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Tuesday that he was confident Brazil would purchase 36 next-generation fighter jets from France even though the time may be running out to close a deal.
Brazil is in the final stages of buying 36 jets worth more than $4 billion, which are to be assembled locally. The deal could eventually rise to more than 100 aircraft.
The three finalists are the Rafale made by Dassault
"I am confident," Sarkozy told reporters on the sidelines of a summit on nuclear security hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama. "It is developing precisely on schedule."
The coming months are crucial since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has said he strongly favors the Rafale for political reasons, will leave the presidency later this year. A Brazilian election is scheduled for October. (Writing by Louis Charbonneau; Editing by Chris Wilson)