The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank introduced in 1940, famously deployed during World War II against Operation Barbarossa. It had an unprecedented balance of firepower, mobility, protection and ruggedness. Its 76.2 mm (3 in) high-velocity tank gun was more powerful than its contemporaries^[​5] while its 60 degree sloped armour provided good protection against anti-tank weapons. The sloped armor and Christie suspension were inherited from the design of American J. Walter Christie's M1928 tank, versions of which were sold turret-less to the Red Army and documented as "farm tractors", after being rejected by the U.S. Army. The T-34 had a profound effect on the conflict on the Eastern Front in the Second World War, and had a lasting impact on tank design. After the Germans encountered the tank in 1941, German general Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist called it "the finest tank in the world"^[​6] and Heinz Guderian affirmed the T-34's "vast superiority" over German tanks.^[​7][​8] "As early as July 1941, OKW chief Alfred Jodl noted in his war diary the surprise at this new and thus unknown wunder-armament being unleashed against the German assault divisions.".^[​9] Although its armour and armament were surpassed later in the war, it has been described as the most influential tank design of the war.^[​10]

The T-34 was the mainstay of Soviet armoured forces throughout the war. Its general specifications remained nearly unchanged until late 1944, when it received a firepower upgrade with the introduction of the greatly improved T-34/85 variant. Its production method was continuously refined to meet the needs of the Eastern Front, making the T-34 quicker and cheaper to produce. The Soviets ultimately built over 80,000 T-34s of all variants, allowing steadily greater numbers to be fielded despite the loss of tens of thousands in combat against the German Wehrmacht.^[​11] Replacing many light and medium tanks in Red Army service, it was the most-produced tank of the war, as well as the second most-produced tank of all time (after its successor, the T-54/55 series).^[​12] With 44,900 lost during the war, it also suffered the most tank losses ever.^[​13] Its development led directly to the T-54 and T-55 series of tanks, which in turn evolved into the later T-62, T-72, and T-90 that form the armoured core of many modern armies. T-34 variants were widely exported after World War II, and as recently as 2018 more than 130 were still in service.^[​14]