China has granted approval for the mass production of its home-grown AG600, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, marking a significant leap toward an independent and globally competitive aviation industry. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certified the plane on Wednesday, affirming that its developer, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic), has established a reliable system to consistently produce aircraft that meet stringent safety standards, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Avic hailed the certification as a pivotal milestone in advancing a “more high-end and standardized” civil aviation manufacturing sector, reinforcing China’s capability to independently build a comprehensive civil aviation ecosystem.
This development aligns with China’s broader ambition to cultivate a self-reliant civil aviation industry and assert itself as a major global player—an objective intensified by recent U.S. technology export restrictions, particularly on jet engine components.
The AG600 joins two other major domestically developed aircraft in active service: the Y-20 strategic transport plane and the C919 narrow-body airliner. Designed to address critical needs in emergency rescue and natural disaster prevention, the AG600 exemplifies China’s commitment to enhancing its civil aviation capabilities and disaster response infrastructure.
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