 However, the battle characteristics of tank T-34 are continuously improved and in the second half of 1943 the tank was radically modernized, with a new turret and a powerful 85-mm cannon.This was a response to the new German Panther and Tiger tanks and Elefant Ferdinand tank destroyers.The efforts to improve the design of the T-34 and increase its armaments were directed by Morozov and his deputy N.A.