Design of protective armour requires a deep understanding of the various types of threats against which protection is demanded, the mechanisms of energy absorption in various materials, the testing techniques for assessing the ballistic performance and the principles of design of appropriate modules to withstand the impacting object. The monograph describes an overview of the general principles of armour design, ballistic testing standards for composites, an introduction into ceramic and polymer materials, their processing and design concepts related to their use in developing practical armour systems. Chapters have been devoted specific to design of armours against small, medium, and large calibre threats. Material responses to high strain rate loading conditions and their utility in simulations have been discussed. The monograph would assist beginners, academic students, Armed Forces, R&D professionals and also scholars and engineers of mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering. General readers would also find this book to be accessible and interesting. It would also benefit the teaching fraternity which has immense potential to generate a deep scientific base in the field of armour.