Under peaceful circumstances, a giant seaplane would be more a matter of curiosity or commercial interest. But there’s nothing peaceful about the geopolitical situation in the South China Sea, where multiple nations—notably China—claim sovereignty over scattered islands and resource-rich waters
China’s AG600—believed to be the world’s largest amphibious aircraft—may soon be operational.
The transport plane—the size of a Boeing 737 airliner—has successfully conducted its first water takeoff and landing, according to China’s state-owned Xinhua news agency .
“At around 8:51 a.m., the plane took off from the surface of a reservoir near Zhanghe Airport of Jingmen under the command of captain Zhao Sheng and his crew,” Xinhua announced. “It landed smoothly and steadily on water after a fourteen-minute flight.”
China describes the AG600, built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, as a “large-scale special-purpose civil aircraft designed to assist with forest firefighting and water rescues.” It is part of a family of large aircraft that China is developing, including the Y-20 military transport and the C919 passenger jet.
The aircraft has four turboprop engines and has a maximum takeoff weight of fifty-four tons.
“The lower part of the aircraft body is designed as a ‘V’ structure to improve its anti-wave ability,” according to Xinhua. “When used to help put out a forest fire, it is able to collect twelve tons of water at a time and make multiple trips to fetch water. The aircraft can carry out sea rescue operations under complex meteorological conditions and can withstand two-meter-high waves. It is capable of carrying fifty people during a maritime search and rescue mission. It also provides support for China’s marine monitoring and safety patrol.”
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The Xinhua announcement contained multiple references to the AG600 and its engines being domestically produced. Given that so many of China’s aircraft are based on Soviet and Russian models, this is a signal that China’s indigenous aviation industry is coming of age.
Under peaceful circumstances, a giant seaplane would be more a matter of curiosity or commercial interest. But there’s nothing peaceful about the geopolitical situation in the South China Sea, where multiple nations—notably China—claim sovereignty over scattered islands and resource-rich waters.
An amphibious aircraft that can carry fifty passengers can also airlift an infantry platoon to a disputed island. An amphibious aircraft can deliver troops and supplies by landing in the water, rather than relying on airfields that will be prime targets for air and missile attack.