SINGAPORE (AFP) - US aircraft manufacturer Boeing said on Wednesday it has won firm orders for 15 B737s from Thai budget carrier Nok Air worth US$1.45 billion (S$1.8 billion).

The orders are for eight next-generation 737-800s and seven 737 MAX 8s, the company said in a statement.

"This commitment is a major step in our growth strategy," said Nok Air chief executive Patee Sarasin in the statement.