After Thomas d'Estienne d'Orves died, on 9 February 1782, Suffren promoted La Pallière to the command of his ship, the 74-gun "Orient". La Pallière captained her at the Battle of Sadras on 17 February 1782, at the Battle of Providien on 12 April 1782, and at the Battle of Negapatam on 6 July 1782, and at the Battle of Trincomalee from 25 August to 3 September 1782.