The comparison between Spain's Juan Carlos design and Italy's larger Trieste goes beyond displacement and troop capacity. Trieste is about 12,000 tons heavier and requires a substantially larger ship's company, even though both can carry sizable embarked forces. A larger hull may also require longer berths, more pier strength, and dry docks able to accept it. Those shore-side constraints are part of the procurement choice, not an afterthought once the ship has been ordered.
Notable Point · 1:16:13-1:18:50
LHD choice includes docks, piers, and support capacity
Comparing Juan Carlos and Trieste shows that a larger amphibious ship also changes crewing, dry-dock, pier-space, and infrastructure requirements.