Designed as a medium tank to replace the earlier 76mm turret versions, the T34/85, armed with an 85mmL53 gun and better armour first appeared in large numbers in 1944, equalling the firepower of the German Panzer IVH and StuG IIIG and continued in production to the end of the war. Over 22000 were produced, and were to be found in combat zones from 1945 until the present day.