NEW DELHI, Nov. 26  -- India has received from U.S. aircraft maker Boeing its sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, sources said Wednesday.

The aircraft arrived at Naval Air Station Rajali from the United States, the sources said, adding that the remaining two planes will be delivered by Boeing next year, thus bolstering the country's maritime defense.

"The P-8I's arrival in India is another key milestone for the program and marks our final delivery of the year," Dennis Swanson, the vice president of Boeing Defense, Space & Security in India, said.

He added: "The Indian Navy is currently conducting missions with the first five aircraft, and this newest P-8I will begin flight trials in the coming months."

The P-8I features open systems architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts, and support equipment, a company release said.

India had in 2009 awarded a contract to Boeing to deliver eight such planes.