03/15/2017: Exercise OCEAN EXPLORER 17 (OE17) is a major Fleet training activity led by the Royal Australian Navy, Exercise Ocean Explorer and jointly-enabled by the Royal Australian Air Force and other nations’ forces.
The maritime exercise is one of the largest iterations of the exercise held in the West Australian Exercise Area. OE 17 was conducted over the period 13 Feb – 10 Mar 17 with the primary aim of conducting high-end warfighting training.
The exercise included participation as well by Spain, Italy and New Zealand.
The Italian FREMM frigate participated in the exercise.
The Italians are hoping that Australia might select its frigate as the baseline ship for the acquisition of new frigates by the Australian Navy.
The Italian ship next port of call was Jakarta.
The visits are the result of a collaboration of Fincantieri (main sponsor), Leonardo, MBDA Italy, Electronic and Telespazio, according to the Italian Ministry of Defence.
http://www.marina.difesa.it/Notiziario-online/Pagine/20170310_ocean_explorer.aspx
Credit: Australian Ministry of Defense:2/27/17