Surely Ken you would know that there are things that a C-130J can do that a A400M or a C17 can't.
Indeed I do. But according to the article, France "
seeks to buy four C-130 transport planes to boost support for troops deployed across sub-Saharan Africa." "Surely" you read the article. And "surely" you know C-130, A400M, and C-17 can all provide such support.
And for the record, I have never remotely claimed, suggested, or implied that I'm a "leading authority" on
anything. You dreamed that up all on your own. Perhaps you should stick to dodging salad.