The effect of strain rate on the fracture behaviour of two ceramic fibre reinforced glass matrix composites was studied. Increasing the strain rate was found to enhance catastrophic failure in both of these composites. This was attributed to the crack deflection and changes in the fibre pullout length as a function of strain rate. Enhanced strain rates were found to decrease the strength, static toughness and fracture energy of the composites. This effect was more pronounced in the case of the coated fibre composites as compared to the uncoated fibre composites. This is because of fibre/matrix isolation, obtained as a result of the coating.