[PvK]

A valid consideration in many cases. However, one particular counterexample is you don't need to research CSMs if you have racial seeking weapons which come with no extra research cost as you research your racial weapons.

Depending on where you are in the tech tree, the research cost and the need for certain techs are different so developing drones may or may not be worth it.

To surprise and to avoid launching your drones in reaction to enemies, you may need to be careful and use scouts and screening forces, and/or keep drones in cargo vessels without launchers until needed.

Anyway, in many cases it may seem not worth the effort in various ways, but I have seen it work a few times. A bunch of unexpected drones can come as a potent surprise, especially if you couldn't afford more ships due to maintenance.

PvK