It is China's large-size aircraft project after the Y-20 strategic transport plane and the C919 narrow-body jetliner. At a height of about 12 meters and a length of nearly 37 meters and with a wingspan exceeding 38 meters, the AG600 has a size roughly comparable to that of a Boeing 737. It can take off and land on both ground and water with an operational range of more than 4,000 kilometers.

In June 2009, the central government approved the development of the AG600. It rolled off the production line in July 2016 and completed its maiden flight from land in December 2017.

In May, its fire-extinguishing variant, the AG600M, carried out its first flight. The AG600M is expected to be available for delivery to customers during the 14th Five-Year period (2021-25), state broadcaster China Central Television reported.