The long-barreled, high-pressure 8.8cm FlaK cannon, optimised for anti-tank warfare and tank-to-tank combat. The PaK 43 made up Germany's "heavy" anti-tank arsenal, and was capable of penetrating the vast majority of Soviet tanks at any range. Experienced gun crews were able to transform entire armoured battalions into steel graveyards with precise, quick-firing volleys of 88mm fire. The PaK 43 is still an effective anti-tank weapon in the mid-1960s, provided it is loaded with high-quality steel shot, tungsten-core munitions or HEAT shells