A genuine but rather noddy question, what is it that the Herc can do that we won’t be able to do with the A400m? I’d understood it to be very capable, and I promise I don’t work for Airbus
In layman’s terms the C130J is an old Landrover Defender - old technology but reliable & dependable and you have no qualms about taking it in the rough stuff because you know it won’t let you down.
The A400M is more of a Bentley Bentaga - nominally it can do everything that the Defender can, it’s much nicer on the road (= strat flying) but would you seriously expect it to survive off road (= Tac flying) or would you fear that it’s delicate electronics and expensive body panels might not cope?