China’s domestically developed AG600 ‘Kunlong’ amphibious aircraft has officially entered mass production after receiving certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. This marks a significant milestone in the nation’s aviation industry.
The AG600, developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), is a massive aircraft comparable in size to mainstream single-aisle airliners. Measuring 38.9 meters in length, 11.7 meters in height, and boasting a wingspan of 38.8 meters, it’s roughly the size of a Boeing 737. With a maximum takeoff weight of 60 tonnes—the equivalent of 40 to 50 passenger cars—the AG600 holds the title of the world’s largest amphibious civilian aircraft by takeoff weight.
Designed with a practical range of 4,500 kilometers, the ‘Kunlong’ is a powerful tool for forest firefighting and maritime rescue missions. Equipped with a water-scooping mechanism on its belly, the aircraft can skim over water surfaces to fill up to 12 tonnes of water in just 20 seconds before heading to combat fires.
The development of the AG600 involved hundreds of supporting units and tens of thousands of components, showcasing China’s comprehensive capabilities in collaborative design, manufacturing, and supply chain management for large special-purpose aircraft.
AVIC experts have stated that future efforts will focus on meeting China’s emergency rescue and natural disaster prevention needs. Plans include advancing the AG600’s serial development, enhancing the aviation emergency rescue service network, and building a comprehensive rescue equipment system with the AG600 at its core.
Since its development began in 2009, the AG600 has achieved several key milestones. It made its maiden flight in 2017, completed its first takeoff from a reservoir in 2018, and had its first flight over the sea in 2020. With mass production now underway, the AG600 is set to play a crucial role in China’s aviation and emergency response sectors.
