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Ever since the 10E Tau Index came out, I had noticed that the Datasheet keywords, such as "Markerlight" were attached to the units, even though the Markerlight Drones were an option to take, and not a required/forced option of the unit.

For example, the Strike Team has the "Markerlight" keyword listed, but the ML Drones are only an option, and you can select options that would leave the unit without a ML Drone in the final unit build. I assumed, you needed to take a ML Drone to utilize the abilities of the Markerlight keyword. [crazy me looking for logic in 10E]

However, I was breaking down all the units that can be used as an observer unit, and still get the benefit of the ML, when I noticed a unit like the Firesight Team, which does not even have an option to take a Markerlight Drone at all and doesn't say the unit even has a markerlight, but the Datasheet still has "Markerlight" listed as one of the keywords.

So, my question is....

Does it matter what build-out is chosen for the unit in question, or does it always get the "Markerlight" bonus/benefit, just because the keyword is listed on the Datasheet?


EDIT:
Another twist, is the Stealth Battlesuits, who do not have the Markerlight keyword, but do have the option to take Markerlight Drones in the build.

They keyword exists on the datasheet and nothing says it is conditional on having a certain upgrade purchase. If it is tied to an upgrade the upgrade will say "the unit/model gains the KEYWORD keyword" and it won't be on the datasheet by default.

The reason these particular datasheets have the markerlight keyword by default is that the units in previous editions had markerlights in addition to the ability to take marker drones. Fire warrior squads could take one on the sergeant and sniper drone teams had one on the spotter.

If a unit has the markerlight keyword then they have it at all times and as such...

Each time a model in a Guided unit makes
an attack that targets their Spotted unit,
improve the Ballistic Skill characteristic of
the attack by 1 and, if their Observer unit
has the Markerlight keyword, the attack
has the [IGNORES COVER] ability

if the unit with the markerlight keyword is the observer it's guided unit can ignore cover as well.

There is however a reason to take a single marker drone even if the unit already has the keyword and it is because

The bearer’s unit has the Markerlight keyword
and can act as an Observer unit for another unit
even if it Advanced this turn.

with the drone a unit can be a observer even if it advanced in the movement phase.