China completes massive amphibious aircraft

Beijing, July 23 (IANS) China has completed production of a huge amphibious aircraft, officials confirmed on Saturday.

The AG600 rolled off the production line in Zhuhahai city and there are plans to use the aircraft to fight forest fires and perform marine rescue missions, in what aviation observers see as a milestone for the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tonnes and a maximum flight range of 4,500 km.

The AG600 is by far the world's largest amphibian aircraft, about the size of a Boeing 737.