Is it necessary? No.
Can it improve a mead? Absolutely.
I don't add it to all my meads, but I do add it to quite a few. Too little acid can leave a mead, cider, or wine dull and lifeless. A little acid can brighten the flavors. I look at it like adding salt to a dish or lemon to a piece of fish. The food was okay without it, but the salt and lemon can improve it. Like Fatbloke, I usually add it to taste post-fermentation in my meads. I add a measured amount to a small sample. When I like the blend, I scale it up for the full batch.