Amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China, India will begin initial deliveries of the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Manila on Friday. This move is seen as an effort by India to counter China’s aggressive behavior in the Indo-Pacific region. Two IAF heavy-lift aircraft will transport the first batch of missiles and launchers, under a $375 million contract, to the Clark International Airport in the Philippines. India has been actively strengthening its military ties with ASEAN countries in response to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.