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High temperature blast and ballistic resistant light weight fibre reinforced plastic composites are very much in demand. Accordingly, the present investigation is focused on the quasi-static and high strain rate behaviour of Basalt/Polyetherimide (PEI) composite. Nine different types of composite samples were fabricated by compression moulding. The moulding pressures and temperatures were varied in the range of 15–25 bars and 325 °C−375 °C, respectively. Quasi-static testing was done at the rate of 3 mm/min to establish the optimum moulding parameters. High strain rate compression tests in the strain rate range of 900/s−3200/s were performed on the optimum moulded composite specimens. High strain rate testing revealed that 40 layered Basalt/PEI composite moulded at 25 bar pressure and 350 °C attained highest stress of 932 MPa whereas, the same was found to attain 446 MPa under quasi-static loading conditons. Thus, establishing the rate depedency of Basalt/PEI composite. Damage studies revealed that Basalt/PEI undergoes brittle damage, typically resulting in shear plane angle of 42°−45°. SEM micrographs revealed brittle fibre failure and matrix free fibre bundles, indicating the importance of process parameter optimiation.