One thing is definitely clear. The mod lacks an element of research.
With regard to the availability of drones at the start, this is an optional issue.
With the enemy mods I listed, starting drones are a great help. Since the threat of attack with these mods exists from the very beginning and is constantly present ...
Without these mods, starter drones are redundant.
The only pity is that the owner of this mod, it seems, is no longer interested ... :(