''The ASL, which develops India's long-range, nuclear-tipped missiles, enables the Agni-5 to reach targets far beyond its stated 5,000-km range by quickly moving closer to the target. Therefore, from various places across India, the Agni-5 can reach every continent except North and South America.''

DF-31A and the Agni-V

China has developed an improved variant of the DF-31 called the DF-31A, which has a reported range of 11,200 plus kilometres. It has some MIRV capability which may allow it to deploy three warheads, each capable of a 20-150 KT yield. It will also deploy decoys that can complicate missile defence systems.

In 2009 US Air Force Intelligence reported that under 15 DF-31A missiles had been deployed.

From reports, the Agni-V would appear to be an upgraded version of the Agni-III, which has been successfully tested. The missile is expected to have a range of about 5000-6000 km and is expected to undergo its first flight test sometime in late 2010, or early 2011.

The Agni-V would be able to target most of the northern cities of China, including Harbin,