ANKARA

 U.S. electronic systems manufacturer Honeywell announced on Friday that it had signed an agreement with Turkey's Aselsan to collaborate in the area of avionics systems for aircraft.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to create the framework for future collaboration on avionics systems for military and civilian aircraft, Honeywell said in a statement.

The two companies also intend to enlarge their cooperation to other areas in which collaboration may be fruitful, the statement said.

Turkey’s defense exports in 2014 increased by 19 percent, hitting $1.65 billion,  compared with $1.4 billion in 2013, according to figures from the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly.