Dual metal plates as civil protection vehicles have piqued interest due to their appealing combination of high strength and high ductility and compared to metal/ceramic dual plates superior processability. The ongoing debate as to whether double-layered protective plates are superior to monolithic ones, due to enhanced penetration resistance as a result of combining a hard projectile splattering front layer with a ductile back layer with the purpose to absorb residual impact energy inspired the present work. Three composites, combining a front layer made of high hardness cold-work tool steel and a high ductility precipitation hardening or maraging steel as rear layer in different arrangements, were investigated for their applicability as protective plates. The experimental part is represented by hardness evaluation of the composites interface before and after ballistic testing as well as the observation of microstructural changes. The most promising results were achieved with the composite combining a cold-work tool steel and a maraging steel. 7 out of 8 shots were fended off with no significant changes in neither microstructure nor mechanical properties. The least satisfactory results were achieved with the composite combining a cold-work tool steel and a precipitation hardening steel, which withstood only 2 out of 8 shots. Both composites containing the precipitation hardening steel as back layer experienced severe plastic deformation, particularly in the austenitic region below the interface. Even though the results show the potential of using high alloyed steel composites as protective plates, the relatively high cost compared to protective plates made out of low alloyed steel or ceramic composites has to be considered.