China Approves Mass Production of World’s Largest Amphibious Aircraft, the AG600 ‘Kunlong’

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China has officially greenlit the mass production of the AG600 “Kunlong,” a domestically developed amphibious aircraft and the largest of its kind in the world. The Civil Aviation Administration of China certified the aircraft for production on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward its entry into the commercial and emergency response sectors, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Developed as part of China’s broader push to modernise its military and enhance its strategic capabilities, particularly in contested regions such as the South China Sea, the AG600 combines military and civil utility. Four turboprop engines power it and feature advanced capabilities such as low-speed, low-altitude manoeuvring, and the ability to land and take off on water, even in waves up to two meters high.

Roughly the size of a Boeing 737, the AG600 can travel up to 4,500 kilometres and carry up to 50 personnel for maritime rescue missions. It is also equipped to scoop and discharge 12 metric tonnes of water in just 20 seconds, making it highly effective for combating forest fires.

State-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which manufactures the aircraft, hailed the production approval as a key milestone in the development of a more advanced and standardised civil aviation industry. The company emphasised that the AG600 enhances China’s ability to independently sustain a comprehensive aviation ecosystem.

The aircraft has already undergone successful trial operations. In May, it completed its production test flight in Zhuhai, including a 12-tonne water drop during a 17-minute mission. It has also been tested for aerial firefighting over the Changbai Mountains, where local emergency management officials praised its efficiency in emergency response and fire suppression.

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Designed with a dual-use purpose, the AG600 project was launched in 2009, with prototype construction beginning in 2014 and its maiden flight taking place in 2017. The aircraft later completed its first sea-based test flight over the Yellow Sea in 2020. Emergency response authorities, such as Zhejiang’s air rescue center, anticipate that the AG600 will significantly improve forest fire response capabilities and overall disaster management efficiency.