Brillant served in Suffren's campaign in the Indian Ocean, taking part in the Battle of Cuddalore.

She was the main unit of the French force that drove away Commodore Vernon's squadron at the Siege of Pondicherry on 10 August 1779, and distinguished herself at the Battle of Sadras.

[1] In the night of 12 January 1783, chasing the frigate Fine which she had mistaken for a privateer, HMS Coventry (1757) sailed into Ganjam Roads, where Suffren's Héros, Illustre, Ajax and Brillant were at anchor.

At this moment, the French division noticed Coventry, and Illustre, Ajax and Brillant opened fire.

Interrogating his prisoners, Wolseley learnt that the ships firing on him were part of Suffren's squadron, at which point his men rushed below.