Russia has successfully tested a system to launch long-range cruise missiles directly from strategic aircraft's weapons bays, the defense contractor Start, part of state hi-tech corporation Rostec, told TASS on Friday.

"The 9A-829K3 multi-position launcher is designed for suspending, transporting and launching long-range cruise missiles directly from a plane’s weapons bays," the defense contractor said.

The tests were held for a month and a half in an environment close to real combat conditions. The first batch of these launchers will soon be delivered to Russia’s Defense Ministry.

The defense contractor Start is actively modernizing its testing and production facilities to successfully fulfil a large volume of contracts under the state defense procurement program, the company’s press office said.