The airplane has a maximum takeoff weight of 60 metric tons. In a typical firefighting operation, it can collect 12 metric tons of water from a lake or sea in 20 seconds and use it to tackle any blaze over an area of about 4,000 square meters, according to its developer.

Code-named Kunlong, the AG600M is the fire-extinguishing variant of China's AG600 seaplane developed by AVIC for aerial firefighting and maritime search and rescue. Once in service, it will put an end to the absence of a large rescue aircraft in the country, the company says.