Turkish defense contractors and aviation companies increased their exports by 52 percent in the first 10 months of 2012 over the same period a year earlier, as the volume reached over $1 billion from $661 million in 2011.

Export items include spare parts for aircraft, tanks and helicopters as well as weapons and ammunition that are sold to nearly 100 countries around the world.

Some $230 million worth of spare parts for aircraft and helicopters were sold between January and October, according to data gathered by Anatolia news agency, Hurriyet Daily reports.