Pawan Hans Helicopters (Delhi International) has attracted only one serious potential buyer Indian Minister for Civil Aviation, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, has confirmed.

New Delhi put its 51% stake in the rotary-winged specialist up for sale in October last year as part of its ongoing privatization of state assets.

“There was some expression of interest, but I understand only one person has qualified and it is single tender," he told The Hindu newspaper. "So we are wondering what to do… we will take a decision.”

With only one viable tender, Raju said government would struggle to close the sale. As such, when asked if a call for the retendering for bids will be made, he said all options were open.

State sources told the paper that government is confident that it will be able to retender for bids in the next 2-3 months "as the basic guidelines for divestment are ready and only some conditions and criteria need tweaking".