Article Posted on : - Jun 26, 2009

AVIC General Aircraft Company logo. A File photo

BEIJING (BNS): China's plan to develop world's largest amphibious aircraft 'Dragon 600', has received government approval, Hu Haiyin, deputy general manager of AVIC General Aircraft Company Ltd said.

The aircraft will be as large as an Airbus A320, which could be used for tasks like emergency rescue and sea patrols, Xinhua reported on Thursday.

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

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 and 60 such aircraft would be needed in China in the next 15 years.