Special to WorldTribune.com

ANKARA — Turkey has reported a sharp increase in defense exports in
2012.

The Turkish Exporters Assembly reported that Ankara oversaw $1.3 billion
in defense exports last year. The group, citing aircraft and other sales,
said this marked a 43 percent increase over 2011.

“Most of the exported products were spare parts for airplanes and
helicopters, turbojets and armored war vehicles,” Turkey’s semi-official
Anatolia news agency said.

The Turkish exporters group said the United States marked the largest
defense client of Ankara.

The group said Washington purchased $490 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates, with $101 million; and Saudi Arabia, with $99 million in orders. In 2012, Turkey reported U.S. orders for components of the Joint Strike Fighter, a program joined by Ankara.

Industry sources said Turkish defense companies have been pledged some $5 billion in orders for wing and electronic warfare components for the F-35.

Turkey also cited arms exports to Britain, France, Germany, Iraq and
Russia. The exporters group reported a sharp increase in arms exports to
Baghdad.

  43 percent increase over 2011, Joint Strike Fighter, Turkey reports 43 percent increase in arms exports, Turkish Exporters Assembly