A dense and crack free MoSi 2 -ZrB 2 coating was prepared on the SiC coated carbon/carbon (C/C) composites using a supersonic plasma spraying technique. The coated composites were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The analysis shows that the as prepared MoSi 2 -ZrB 2 coating, with a thickness of ,100 mm, combines well with the inner SiC coating. After oxidation at 12008C for 72 h in air, the mass loss of MoSi 2 -ZrB 2 /SiC coated C/C is only 4.24 wt-%, which is significantly lower than that of MoSi 2 /SiC coated C/C (11.35 wt-%). The excellent oxidation protective ability of the MoSi 2 -ZrB 2 coating is mainly attributed to ZrSiO 4 produced by dispersive ZrO 2 particles and SiO 2 in the coating at high temperature.