Watch | The moment when BrahMos was successfully flight-tested from Sukhoi

India on Wednesday successfully test-fired the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile from the Sukhoi 30MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) .

The defence ministry said the missile hit a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal from the combat aircraft.

"Brahmos, the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile created history on today after it was successfully flight- tested for first time from the IAF's frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI against a sea based target in the Bay of Bengal," the defence ministry said.

#BrahMos, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile successfully flight-tested first time from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI against a sea based target in the Bay of Bengal.@WIONews @dna pic.twitter.com/9pkZJcYNgm

— Raghvendra Rao (@raghvendra_rao) November 22, 2017

The missile was gravity dropped from the Su-30 from fuselage, and the two stage missile’s engine fired up and straightway propelled towards the intended target at the sea in Bay of Bengal.

— Raghvendra Rao (@raghvendra_rao) November 22, 2017

The successful maiden test firing of #BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) from Su-30MKI will significantly bolster the IAF’s air combat operations capability from stand-off ranges

— Raghvendra Rao (@raghvendra_rao) November 22, 2017

Brahmos ALCM weighing 2.5 ton is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on India’s Su-30 fighter aircraft modified by HAL to carry weapons.

— Raghvendra Rao (@raghvendra_rao) November 22, 2017

#BrahMos, the world-class weapon with multi-platform, multi-mission role is now capable of being launched from Land, Sea and Air, completing the tactical cruise missile triad for India. Brahmos is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia.

— Raghvendra Rao (@raghvendra_rao) November 22, 2017

Brahmos is described as the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile which can carry out warheads from land, air and sea.

The missile, which was launched as a test firing exercise, travels almost three times faster than sound at Mach 2.8. It weighs around 2.4 tonne and has a strike range of 290 km. It also carries a conventional warhead up to 300 kg.

The fighter jet which has a cruising range of 3,200 km along with the supersonic cruise missile is said to a 'deadly combination'.

The BrahMos operates on 'Fire and Forget Principle', adopting varieties of flights on its way to the target. Its cursing altitude could be up to 15 km and terminal altitude is as low as 10 meters.

(With Inputs from agencies)