This paper presents an extensive study on the experimental and numerical investigation of metal layered interply hybrid composites subjected to low velocity impact. In an effort to understand the contribution of individual layer to energy absorption and subsequent failure in fibre-metal laminates, the test specimens were fabricated with a layer of metal bonded to a layer of composite. The mechanical response of each specimen to low velocity impact load is compartmentalized through two test cases: (i) specimen impacted on the ductile metal layer and (ii) specimen impacted on the brittle composite layer. For a detailed insight into the response of individual layers, a numerical study was carried out using commercially available software called ABAQUS with elastic–plastic model for metal layer and a user defined constitutive model via a VUMAT subroutine for composite layer. The level of correlation between experimental and numerical results is comparable. Being stiff in nature, with small impact energy absorption, exhibit less concentrated damage, brittle side impact samples are found to provide excellent impact resistance than ductile side impact samples.