The SD KFZ.184 Ferdinand, also known as the Elefant tank destroyer, was a heavily armored vehicle that was developed by Germany during World War II.

It was designed to provide long-range firepower and support for German armored units on the Eastern Front.

The Ferdinand was armed with an 8.8 cm PaK 43/2 L/71 anti-tank gun, which was capable of penetrating the armor of most Allied tanks at long ranges.

It had a heavily armored hull and turret that provided excellent protection for its crew and vital components.

Despite its impressive firepower and armor, the Ferdinand suffered from a number of design flaws, including a lack of secondary armament, limited mobility in difficult terrain, and vulnerability to close-range attacks.

These weaknesses were exploited by Soviet forces during the Battle of Kursk in 1943, where many Ferdinands were destroyed in close combat.

Following the Battle of Kursk, the remaining Ferdinands were modified and re-designated as Elefant tank destroyers.

These modifications included the addition of machine guns for close-range defense and improvements to the vehicle's mobility.

Despite its mixed performance in combat, the Ferdinand/Elefant remains an important part of military history and a symbol of the technological innovation and military prowess of Nazi Germany during World War II.