Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is expected to make an announcement in the next few days on which direction government is going in with regard to a controversial deal with Airbus for large planes.

The deal caused an outcry last week when Armscor told Parliament the cost of buying eight heavy-freight planes had escalated from R17-billion to R47-billion.

Airbus Military denied the claim, calling it wildly exaggerated.

Government spokesperson Themba Maseko on Thursday said Sisulu has already briefed Cabinet on the matter.

"Decisions will be taken and the minister will make an announcement on what's going to happen with that contract, whether government will continue with the contract or not," said Maseko.