The Airbus A400M is set to replace primarily the C-130 Hercules which has been the primary cargo workhorse in the countries now planning this new aircraft.
When completed, the Airbus A400M will be Airbus' first military aircraft and as such will be a sign of Europe's larger focus on purchasing military equipment from European manufacturers as opposed to American. Other examples of this trend include the Eurocopter Group and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company.
The Airbus A400M will increase the airlift capacity and range compared to the aircrafts it is set to replace. Cargo capacity is expected to double (both in payload and volume) and range is increased substantially as well. Just as Airbus' other aircrafts, the A400M will have a full glass cockpit (all information accessed through large color screens) and fly-by-wire and as such will represent a technological leap compared to the old versions of the C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall that many of the purchasing countries now operate.
The Airbus A400M will operate in many configurations: Cargo transport, troop transport, aerial refuling and electronic surveillance is expected to be the primary roles.