China to build world's largest Amphibious aircraft

China will build the world's largest amphibious aircraft, as large as an Airbus A320, which could be used for tasks like emergency rescue and sea patrols, the state media reported on Thursday.

The development and production of the 'Dragon 600', intended to be the world's largest amphibious aircraft, has received government approval, Hu Haiyin, deputy general manager of AVIC General Aircraft Company Ltd. said.

Hu said the company has begun research on the proposed craft.

The Dragon 600, which would be as large as an Airbus 320, could be used for tasks such as emergency rescue, fighting forest fires and sea patrols, Xinhua news agency reported.

Hu said that market research indicated that 60 such craft would be needed in China in the next 15 years.

The research and design stage would last for four years, with commercial production to begin in at least five years, Hu said, adding that the company would employ 1,500 people.