According to state broadcaster CCTV, the CAAC confirmed that Avic has established a reliable production system that consistently meets safety standards. This approval not only paves the way for full-scale manufacturing but also signifies a major leap towards a “more high-end and standardised” civil aviation manufacturing sector.

The AG600 is one of three large aircraft developed domestically, joining the Y-20 strategic transport aircraft and the C919 narrowbody airliner. Its certification underscores China’s efforts to reduce reliance on foreign technology — a priority that has intensified amid recent U.S. technology export restrictions, including on jet engines.

Designed for emergency rescue and natural disaster response, the AG600 boasts a maximum take-off weight of 60 tonnes and a range of 4,500 kilometres. It can carry up to 12 tonnes of water for firefighting missions, making it a valuable asset for aviation-based emergency response operations.

Its development involved hundreds of supporting enterprises and tens of thousands of components, demonstrating China’s ability to coordinate the design, production, and supply chains required for complex aerospace projects. The programme has also yielded management models and technical standards that can be applied to future aircraft developments, according to Xinhua.

Final assembly of the AG600 began in July last year, with the CAAC issuing its type certificate in April — confirming that the aircraft’s design complies with airworthiness standards. Avic now aims to expand the AG600 product line, reinforcing China’s broader ambition to build a self-reliant and globally competitive aviation ecosystem