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According the reports of a manufacturing company from China, they have received permission for the development and production of the largest amphibious aircraft of the world which has been titled Dragon 600.
The aircraft, which would be as large as an Airbus 320, could be used for tasks such as emergency rescue, fighting forest fires and sea patrols, Hu Haiyin, deputy general manager of AVIC General Aircraft Company, said on Wednesday.
Hu said that market research indicated a domestic market for 60 such craft in the next 15 years.
Hu also added that the research and design stage, which has already begun, will last for four years and the commercial production of the aircraft is expected to begin in at least five years.
The first construction phase is scheduled for completion in 2012 and the company plans to have 1,500 employees.
