But there are so many things in our armed forces which are wrong and cause problems to the troops now that I don't see that introducing a LPD is the right way.
It really depends on what the strategic outlook is for Germany for 2020.
For comparison, I'd point out that Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands, British, and even Denmark all have the capability to deliver troops by sea, but Germany really doesn't.
Does anyone actually believe that the country with Europe's largest economy, and Europe's second largest population, can afford not to start planning for some form of limited offensive expeditionary capability or far ocean requirement for the future?
I think Germany would be wise to build a dual purpose ship of LPD type, both offering a limited expeditionary capability for marine forces, but also for a Command Ship capability for its Navy with the capability of adding both aviation and unmanned sensor platforms in defense of its naval forces, OTH surveillance capability, MOTW, and SOF operations.
LPDs and LHDs are platforms of choice worldwide right now for good reason, the flexibility they offer a nation in lift, delivery, payload, and self sustainment capabilities of operations is unmatched by any land or air based equivalent, and technology only increases its potential for operations either at sea or on land. To me, a LPD is always a good choice, particularly if it is armed like a MEKO A-200 class and designed for sea and land operations, as opposed to one or the other.
If you think about it the mothership is actually an extension of what Germany already does best. Germany excels in conventional underwater and small surface combatants already, so designing such weapons either manned or unmanned to be deployable from a mothership is nothing more than a miniaturization of existing technical proficiency's.
Transformation, a buzz word in 21st century military improvements, isn't about reinventing the wheel like the US treats the term, it is about capitalizing on what you are already good at in new and innovative ways that increases the capability of existing forces. A LPD mothership design for Germany is exactly that in my opinion, and you have to look no further than current operations in the Med to see where such a platform would make a difference, both in cost effectiveness and expansion of operational/tactical capability.