In a landmark moment for China’s aviation industry, the country’s first domestically developed large amphibious aircraft—the AG600—has officially received its type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The certification greenlights its entry into the civil aviation market and marks a significant milestone in China’s decades-long push to establish an independent, world-class aerospace industry.
Built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the AG600—also known as “Kunlong”—is the world’s largest amphibious aircraft currently in production. Designed for a wide range of civil and emergency applications, its capabilities span forest fire suppression, maritime patrol, search and rescue, island supply missions, and potentially, strategic military operations.
The type certification granted by CAAC confirms that the AG600 meets all required safety and design standards under China’s civil aviation regulations. This step is critical for any aircraft aiming to be commercialized, as it demonstrates that both its construction and design comply with rigorous airworthiness criteria.
“This certification is more than just a regulatory formality,” said Huang Lingcai, chief designer of the AG600 series. “It represents the culmination of years of engineering innovation, technological breakthroughs, and cross-sector collaboration. It was a hard nut to crack, but a necessary one for the future of Chinese aviation.”
AVIC emphasized that the certification is a major leap forward in China’s ambitions to expand its civil aircraft sector. It is also symbolic: the AG600, the Y-20 heavy transport aircraft, and the C919 narrow-body airliner form a trifecta of China’s “large aircraft family,” positioning the country as a self-reliant aerospace power.
The AG600, in particular, fills a void in the large amphibious aircraft segment—a niche yet strategically important domain that had, until now, seen little innovation globally.
The AG600 is a behemoth of hybrid design. Measuring 38.9 meters in length with a wingspan of 38.8 meters and standing 11.7 meters tall, it weighs approximately 60 tons and can carry up to 12 tons of water for firefighting missions. It boasts a cruise speed of 220 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 4,500 kilometers.
But what makes the AG600 a technical marvel is its dual nature: it can operate equally well on land runways and water surfaces.
“To develop an aircraft that can operate across two environments—air and water—is to engineer a solution to opposing forces,” said Cheng Zhihang, general director of AVIC’s South China General Office. “Air and water have drastically different densities—over 800 times—so creating a craft that can handle both required immense testing and innovation.”
To resolve the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic contradictions, the team conducted over 10,000 experiments in wind tunnels and hydrodynamic test tanks. The result is an aircraft with a stepped hull, boat-like fuselage, wingtip floats for water stability, and wave-suppression grooves—designed to navigate both calm and turbulent waters.
The AG600’s amphibious capability is not just an engineering showpiece; it’s a functional necessity for China’s growing need for aerial fire suppression, emergency response in coastal or island regions, and maritime patrol.
China has increasingly emphasized its emergency management infrastructure, particularly after natural disasters like the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and recurring typhoons in the South China Sea region. The AG600 directly supports this strategy.
AVIC has positioned the AG600 as a central piece of China’s national emergency rescue and disaster response system. It can scoop water from lakes or seas within 20 seconds and deploy it to suppress forest fires. Its spacious fuselage and strong landing gear make it suitable for transporting rescue personnel and equipment into otherwise inaccessible areas.
“This aircraft is tailored to China’s diverse topography—dense forests, mountainous regions, and an expansive coastline,” said Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine. “It meets strict airworthiness standards and has clear commercial potential in forest monitoring and emergency rescue.”
Its capacity to conduct maritime law enforcement and supply missions to island outposts also makes it an asset in civil logistics and public administration. Wang added that the AG600’s successful deployment will further invigorate China’s low-altitude economy—industries that involve aerial services under 3,000 meters, including tourism, logistics, and environmental monitoring.
Though officially branded as a civilian aircraft, the AG600 carries unmistakable strategic value. With growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly around the South China Sea, the aircraft could serve dual purposes—both civil and military.
If stationed in Hainan Island, the AG600 could reach any point in the South China Sea within four hours. This makes it capable of supplying Chinese military outposts on contested islands, transporting troops, or conducting long-range patrols—all without relying on traditional naval supply chains.
Its long operational range, significant payload, and amphibious design could theoretically allow for rapid deployment to remote areas in conflict or crisis scenarios. While AVIC and Chinese state media emphasize its civil role, analysts outside China see the AG600 as part of a broader strategy to enhance China’s projection of power over maritime domains.
“From a military logistics perspective, it can circumvent bottlenecks,” noted a U.S.-based defense analyst. “If things heat up in the South China Sea, the AG600 provides a non-aggressive but strategically potent method of maintaining presence and reach.”
In surpassing Japan’s ShinMaywa US-2 amphibious aircraft, the AG600 is now the largest amphibious aircraft in the world. The US-2 had long held that title, serving Japan’s Self-Defense Forces in search-and-rescue operations across vast stretches of the Pacific.
Notably, the United States—China’s foremost geopolitical rival—has no comparable aircraft in service today. The U.S. Navy ended its use of amphibious aircraft in 1967, and the Coast Guard followed suit in 1983. A more recent program to convert the MC-130J Commando II into a floatplane stalled due to financial constraints, leaving the U.S. without an amphibious counterpart to the AG600.
“The U.S. abandoned amphibious aircraft in favor of carriers and subs. But China is demonstrating that the utility of such aircraft—especially in the Indo-Pacific—should not be underestimated,” said the analyst.
This technological edge may allow China to shape the narrative and norms around amphibious aircraft in regional security frameworks and humanitarian missions, especially in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
The AG600’s journey from blueprint to certification involved over 292 enterprises and institutions, 16 universities, and coordination across 22 provinces and cities. It represents a triumph of domestic innovation and industrial coordination.
Equipped with integrated avionics, fly-by-wire flight controls, a pressurized cabin, and modular systems for emergency operations, the aircraft was built entirely under civil-aircraft airworthiness protocols—an industry first for China.
This technological self-reliance is central to Beijing’s long-term strategy. With U.S.-China tensions resulting in increased scrutiny and restrictions on aerospace components and collaborations, China has made it a priority to localize its supply chains and reduce foreign dependence.
The AG600 is not just a piece of hardware; it’s proof of a maturing ecosystem capable of designing, testing, certifying, and eventually exporting large-scale aviation solutions.
With the type certificate secured, AVIC now shifts its focus to obtaining a production certificate, expected by August 2025. If timelines hold, the first deliveries could begin as early as October 2025.
Initial buyers are likely to be state agencies, such as China’s Ministry of Emergency Management and regional firefighting departments. However, export interest may also arise, particularly from countries with expansive coastlines, tropical island chains, or forested regions prone to wildfires.
In a recent statement, AVIC confirmed it was exploring international markets and might seek overseas certification down the line, depending on demand.
“We will continue refining the AG600 platform to serve a broader range of missions,” said Huang Lingcai. “It’s adaptable. It can evolve with the needs of our partners.”
Despite the technological achievement, not all reactions to the AG600’s debut have been celebratory. In geopolitical circles, there are concerns about the potential military uses of the aircraft and the strategic shift it might represent.
Still, aviation experts note that innovation often walks the line between civil use and military potential.
“This is the dual-use dilemma,” said an aviation policy researcher in Singapore. “But ultimately, the AG600 is a symbol of what happens when a nation commits to long-term industrial development. Whether it becomes a tool of cooperation or competition remains to be seen.”
The AG600’s journey is not just a story about an aircraft. It’s about national ambition, technological resilience, and strategic foresight. As the world watches China’s aviation sector lift off—literally and figuratively—the AG600 stands as a flying testament to how far China has come, and how far it intends to go.
Whether combating wildfires, rescuing stranded sailors, or quietly shifting the balance of power in contested waters, the AG600 is ready for takeoff.
