DEFENCE Minister Mosiuoa Lekota has defended a move to buy President Thabo Mbeki a new luxury jet worth R300-million, saying the older presidential aircraft poses a security risk. Lekota, who is currencty reviewing all travel facilities for Mbeki, said that because the current jet, a Falcon 900, has to refuel several times during international trips, it wasts time and poses a security risk during stopovers. It also accommodates a limited number of people and does not have working facilities. Reports said Mbeki is considering replacing the Falcon with a bigger Airbus 319, fitted with satellite link-ups and a bedroom. It has the capacity for non-stop flight to most destinations in Asia, Europe and the United States.