World's largest seaplane unveiled by Chinese state company

AVIC expected to deliver 60 AG600 amphibious aircraft in 15 years. The AVIC TA-600, also known as AG-600, is a large amphibious flying boat that is being designed and built in China by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The AVIC TA-600 is set to become the largest amphibious aircraft in the world when it begins delivery in 2016.

The forward fuselage section is 9.5m long and includes the cockpit and nose landing gear bay, says AVIC in a statement. It incorporates 5,200 separate parts.

The statement adds that the type received two firm orders at last year’s Airshow China in Zhuhai, but it does not specify the customer. A source has said that the first customer is likely to be the nation’s coast guard.

At the show, an AVIC representative told Flightglobal that the company does not expect to produce the AG600, previously labelled the TA-600, in large numbers. He also said the first flight would take place at the end of 2015, but it appears the company has backed away from this plan.

After seven years of construction China has unveiled the AG600, one of the world’s largest amphibious aircraft.

Half boat and half airplane, the craft can take off at a staggering weight of 53 tonnes and can pick up 12 tonnes of water in an impressive 20 seconds.

Intended for marine missions and fighting forest fires, the AG600 was unveiled in Zhuhai in the southern Guangdong province on July 23. The plane – which can take off from land or water – is seen as an aviation “milestone” for the country, according to Xinhua News.

Testing is expected to commence in the coming months with its creators claiming it can travel non-stop for 4,500km (2,796 miles). This range might prove useful in China’s bid for control of disputed islands in the South China Sea.

China rejected a ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration earlier this month that they had no legal basis to claim the islands.

The AG600 is China’s first homegrown amphibious craft and already has 17 orders, according to its creators. It also boasts of being able to rescue 50 people in a single trip.

State aircraft maker the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) built the AG600. AVIC also built the Y-20, heavy transport aircraft capable of carrying over 60 tonnes of military equipment. Four hundred Y-20s are currently under construction for the Chinese military and are reported to be delivered in 2017.

AVIC’s C919 is the country’s first large passenger aircraft capable of carrying up to 168 passengers. Completed in November 2015 it is expected to begin operation in late 2016 or early 2017.