File photo of Tejas Serial Production SP-4 version taking off from the National Flight Test Centre

LCA Tejas SP-9 (LA-5009) successfully flew for the first time today taking off at 1033 hrs from HAL Airport in Bengaluru and landing back at 1054 hrs. SP-9 flew for 21 mins with Air. Cmde KA Muthanna (Retd) in the cockpit.

This is the Ninth Series Production Aircraft and will be handed over to the No.45 Squadron of the Indian Air Force also called the 'Flying Daggers' after a few production sorties.