BRASILIA (AFP) - France's offer to transfer technology to Brazil gives its Rafale fighter an "exceptional comparative advantage" over Swedish-made Gripen, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said.

"A country of Brazil's importance cannot buy a product from another country without technology transfer," Lula said in an exclusive interview with AFP.

"France has shown itself to be the most flexible country in terms of transferring technology, and evidently, this is an exceptional comparative advantage," the Brazilian president said.

The Rafale, made by France's Dassault, is in fierce competition with Saab's Swedish-made Gripen and Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet for a contract worth several billion dollars to supply Brazil with 36 fighter aircraft.

Two weeks ago Saab president Åke Svensson told reporters in Sao Paulo that not only would Gripen technology be offered, but Brazil stood to benefit by participating in future exports of the Swedish jet, which is poised to go into production.

Lula would not say which aircraft he prefers but said he may talk Thursday with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy after meeting with Brazil's defense minister and the commander of the air force.

Sarkozy is scheduled to make a 24 hour visit Sunday to Brasilia where he will be the guest of honor at Brazil's independence day celebrations.

Lula recalled that during the visit Brazil and France would finalize a separate deal to acquire French submarines and helicopters.

"France is the only important country ready to discuss with us technology transfers in all these domains," he said.

"Brazil has drawn up a strategic defense plan. We are convinced ... that because of the Amazon, our deep-water offshore oil deposits, Brazil should have a defense industry in keeping with its size and importance," Lula said.